The Retail Leadership Summit 2025 (RLS 2025), organized by the Retailers Association of India (RAI), successfully convened industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators at the Bombay Exhibition Centre (NESCO), Mumbai on February 27-28, 2025. As India’s premier retail event, RLS 2025 provided a platform for insightful discussions on customer-centricity, sustainability, digital transformation, and the future of retail.
Key Highlights of RLS 2025
- Thought Leadership & Industry Insights – Sessions by top executives from Reliance Retail, NPCI, ONDC, and more.
- Retail Innovations & D2C Growth – Discussions on AI, personalization, and new revenue models.
- Industry Reports Unveiled – Insights from BCG, Deloitte, PwC, Vector Consultancy, and GPTW.
- Fashion Arena 2025 – Myntra-presented showcase of new fashion collections and brand experiences.
- Retail Start-up & Champions Awards – Recognizing excellence in retail across various categories.
Keynote Insights from Industry Leaders
Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, RAI: “Retail is evolving rapidly, and staying consumer-focused is key to success. Innovation, technology, and collaboration will define the future.”
T. Koshy, MD & CEO, ONDC: “From zero to 16 million transactions per month, ONDC is revolutionizing digital commerce for small businesses.”
Dilip Asbe, MD & CEO, NPCI: “The democratization of payments has transformed accessibility, enabling digital transactions even at small roadside stalls.”
Kulin Lalbhai, Vice Chairman, Arvind Fashions Ltd.: “Product differentiation is the key to creating true customer value in fashion retail.”
Retail Trends & Innovations Discussed
- Retail Real Estate: Transitioning from traditional stores to experiential spaces.
- D2C Expansion: Building direct relationships with consumers in a digital-first era.
- Store Design Innovation: Merging aesthetics with functionality to enhance customer experiences.
- OmniCommerce: Balancing online and offline engagement for seamless consumer journeys.
Celebrating Retail Excellence – Award Winners
The India’s Retail Champions Awards 2025 honored outstanding brands, including Levi Strauss & Co, Lacoste, Nykaa, TTK Prestige, Reliance Retail, and many more across categories like apparel, beauty, D2C, and specialty retail.
Looking Ahead
RLS 2025 reaffirmed that the future of retail lies in innovation, adaptability, and consumer engagement. As businesses embrace AI, sustainability, and omnichannel strategies, the summit highlighted the need for collaboration and forward-thinking leadership in navigating the evolving retail landscape.
About RLS
Founded by Retailers Association of India (RAI), the Retail Leadership Summit is India’s largest gathering of retail leaders, serving as a premier knowledge-sharing platform to drive industry growth.
