Inclusive Leadership Takes Center Stage at EKAM Retail Summit 2025

The EKAM – The All Inclusion Summit 2025, hosted by the Retailers Association of India (RAI) and Trust for Retailers and Retail Associates of India (TRRAIN), brought the retail industry together to champion equity and inclusion. Held at The Westin Mumbai Garden City, Goregaon, the summit focused on the theme “Equity in Action – Moving from Intent to Impact.” It emphasized practical solutions to uncover systemic inequities in hiring, compensation, career mobility, and access to opportunities. Ultimately, the platform encouraged organizations to convert symbolic commitments into meaningful change.

Driving Real Change in Retail

The summit welcomed thought leaders, policymakers, and industry experts for insightful dialogue. Throughout the day, speakers explored topics including “From Pledges to Progress: Building Measurable DEI Outcomes” and “Retail for All: Making Stores, Services, and Supply Chains Inclusive.” As a result, attendees received real-world case studies and actionable frameworks to strengthen inclusive retail environments that support diverse customers and communities.

Industry Leaders Share Their Perspectives

Prominent speakers included:

• Harish Iyer, Sr. VP & Head – DEI, Axis Bank

• Rohith Kumar, CHRO, Arvind Fashions Ltd.

• Neelam Ahluwalia, VP – Learning & Inclusion, BigBasket

• G.R. Venkatesh, CHRO, Reliance Retail

• Anjali Goel, Head – HR, V-Mart Retail, among others.

Together, they highlighted how inclusion enhances culture, strengthens performance, and elevates customer experience.

The Business Case for Inclusion

Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of RAI, stressed the importance of dignity and access for all retail workers. He stated that true progress happens when retailers invest in fair hiring practices, accessible workplaces, and supportive leadership. According to him, inclusive environments reduce attrition, improve engagement, and build stronger frontline talent. He emphasized that the industry now has an opportunity to move from isolated initiatives to shared standards across India.

Similarly, B.S. Nagesh, Founder of TRRAIN and Chairman of Shoppers Stop, noted that retail has always been about people. He explained that inclusion becomes meaningful only when systems evolve to support every individual—regardless of identity or background. In his view, equity embedded into daily operations creates future-ready retail.

Adding to this perspective, Ameesha Prabhu, CEO of TRRAIN, stressed that inclusion directly shapes livelihoods and confidence. She highlighted how training, access, and supportive environments transform lives and extend impact far beyond workplaces.

Inclusion as a Strategy for Growth and Trust

Several speakers, including Harish Iyer and Dr. Niru Kumar, emphasized that India’s rich diversity requires intentional action, not isolated gestures. Organizations must align systems, behaviors, and infrastructure to remove barriers for women, persons with disabilities, queer colleagues, and underrepresented communities. When done well, inclusion strengthens trust, accelerates innovation, and improves organisational health.

Data Reinforces the Value of Inclusive Workplaces

Research further supports the business impact of inclusion:

• Boston Consulting Group (India) reports that when employees feel included, happiness rises by 31 percentage points, motivation increases by 25 points, and attrition is cut in half.

• The Deloitte Women @ Work survey shows women in inclusive organizations score three times higher in loyalty, belonging, and productivity.

Clearly, workplaces that prioritize equity deliver stronger performance and deeper customer relationships, while strengthening dignity and purpose for employees.