The Retail Leadership Summit 2025 (RLS 2025), organized by the Retailers Association of India (RAI), successfully convened the brightest minds in the industry at Hall No. 6, Bombay Exhibition Centre (NESCO), Mumbai, on February 27-28, 2025. As India’s premier retail event, RLS 2025 served as a dynamic platform for thought leadership, innovation, and collaboration, addressing the rapidly evolving retail landscape.
A Consumer-Driven, Tech-Enabled Retail Future:
This year’s summit centered on customer-centricity, value creation, new-age leadership, sustainability, and future paradigms, sparking insightful discussions among industry leaders, policymakers, and technology pioneers. Featuring keynote sessions, expert panels, and knowledge reports from BCG, Deloitte, GPTW, PwC, and Vector, RLS 2025 underscored the importance of innovation, adaptability, and strategic value creation in navigating the future of retail.
Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of RAI, highlighted the transformational shift in retail, stating:
“Retail is evolving rapidly, and success lies in staying relevant, agile, and consumer-focused. At RLS 2025, we explored how retailers can create real value by improving format relevance, accelerating new revenue streams, and delivering superior consumer experiences. Technology is redefining the way we work, but at the heart of it, retail is still about understanding and serving consumers better. The industry must embrace AI, personalization, and innovation while staying rooted in trust and collaboration. The future belongs to those who don’t just adapt to change but lead it.”
Industry Leaders and Key Insights:
RLS 2025 featured keynote addresses by:
- Ashwin Khasgiwala, Director, Reliance Brands Ltd. & Chief Business Operations Controller, Reliance Retail Ltd.
- Dilip Asbe, Managing Director & CEO, National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)
- Koshy, Managing Director & CEO, Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC)
A New Era for Retail:
RLS 2025 underscored that the future of retail lies in innovation, adaptability, and seamless consumer experiences. As technology, sustainability, and customer expectations evolve, retailers must go beyond transactions to create deeper connections and immersive experiences. The summit fostered strategic collaborations and fresh insights, paving the way for a more dynamic, resilient, and consumer-driven retail future.