The Retailers Association of India (RAI) hosted the Chennai Retail Summit 2025 at ITC Grand Chola, spotlighting the fast-evolving Indian retail landscape under the theme “Changing World of Retail.” The event attracted influential voices from across sectors, setting the stage for powerful discussions on emerging opportunities, technological transformations, and retail’s expanding footprint beyond metros.
The summit positioned Chennai as a nucleus of retail innovation and collaboration. A keynote by R.G. Chandramogan, Founder of Hatsun Group, and a special address by Ba. Ramesh, Joint MD of Thangamayil Jewellery, added depth and regional perspective to the summit’s forward-looking agenda.
Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, RAI, emphasized Tamil Nadu’s pioneering role in modern retail:
“Tamil Nadu’s informed consumers, regional diversity, and strong tech infrastructure make it a retail powerhouse. From creating employment to enabling experimentation, this state is a vibrant model for scalable, inclusive retail.”
The summit featured an impressive lineup including:
-
R. Balachandar, MD, Haribhavanam Restaurants
-
Balachandar R, Director, Junior Kuppanna
-
Suhail Sattar, Director, Hasbro Clothing (Basics); Chairman, RAI Chennai Chapter
-
C.K. Kumaravel, Co-founder & CMD, Naturals Salon
-
Palaniswamy Vanjimuthu, Director, Boomerang Ice Cream
Their insights focused on dynamic consumer shifts, retail tech adoption, and navigating regional nuances.
Key panel themes included:
-
“Scaling Up Smartly” – strategies for responsible growth
-
“Tradition Meets Innovation” – managing generational transitions
-
“Beyond the Metros” – unlocking smaller city opportunities
-
“Retail Tomorrow” – anticipating future trends and behaviors
Balachandar R (Junior Kuppanna) reflected on hyperlocalization:
“Growth isn’t about being everywhere—it’s about adapting everywhere.”
Suhail Sattar (Hasbro Clothing) noted:
“Retailers must balance trend-driven offerings with value and multi-channel responsiveness.”
Sunil Sanklecha (Nuts ‘N’ Spices) remarked:
“Retail’s foundation—trust and customer ties—remains strong, but the delivery is evolving fast.”
The summit reinforced RAI’s vision to champion progressive, inclusive, and adaptive retail models, paving the way for deeper engagement and future-ready strategies in India’s vibrant retail sector.
