The Retail Tech Summit 2024, organized by Jagan Institute of Management, Rohini Sector-5, New Delhi in association with the Retailers Association of India (RAI), took place on 20th July 2024 at the JIMS campus. The summit aimed to provide comprehensive insights into the retail industry for students and foster knowledge exchange among industry experts.
Event objective was to comprehensive learning of the retail industry and knowledge exchange among panelists.
The event commenced at 10:00 AM with the national anthem, setting a solemn tone, followed by the traditional lighting of the lamp by the Chief Guest, Mr. Kewal Dhar, Retail Operations Head; Director, Dr. Harsh Vardhan Halve; JIMS, Director General, Dr. Pooja Jain; JIMS, Director, and Dr.R.K. Singh, Dean PGDM Retail Management.
Mr. Dhar shared his extensive experience with Relaxo, discussing the latest trends in the retail sector and how the company has adapted to remain competitive. His interactive session with the students was particularly engaging, addressing their queries about the evolving retail landscape.
The summit featured two significant panel discussions. The first session started at 10:15 AM. Moderated by Ms. Mansi Madan, it focused on" The Era of Hyper-Personalization: How Brands are Digitizing In-store Experience." The panelists included Mr. Riju Antony (Head HR Retail Store Operation, Reliance Fashion and Lifestyle Business), Mr. Prateek Chautrwedi(Operations Head, Footlocker Business, Metro Brands Limited), and Mr. Rajeev Kumar (Lead Human Resources, 24Seven Retail). This discussion emphasized the importance of hyper-personalization, leveraging data to predict and meet customer desires, enhancing operational efficiency, and integrating online and offline channels to create a seamless customer experience. Examples from Starbucks and Rare Rabbit illustrated successful hyper-personalization strategies, while McDonald's showcased how real-time data integration can minimize wastage. The session concluded with a 30-minute question-and-answer segment, where the panelists addressed various queries from the audience, providing deeper insights into their discussion topics.
After a short break, the second session commenced from 12:45 PM. Moderated by Dr. Bhavana Chadha, it explored "Retail Automation: Shaping up the New World of Retail." The panelists were Mr. Sanidhya Sikarwal(Regional HR Head - North India for Max Fashions, Landmark Group) and Mr.Vishal Aggarwal (National Head B2B and Business Head B2C North, Big Basket). This session delved into the digital-first approach in retail, the critical role of staff adaptation and soft skills, and the significance of omnichannel strategies. The National Operations Center's role in daily buying pattern analysis and big data segmentation was highlighted, demonstrating how these tools enhance personalized offers and CRM efficiency. The discussion also touched on the rising trend of quick commerce, with companies like Flipkart and Amazon leading the charge. The session ended with a 30-minute question-and-answer segment, where the audience engaged with the panelists, discussing practical challenges and solutions related to retail automation.
The summit concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. R.K. Singh, Dean of PGDM, who underscored the importance of continuous learning and adaptation the ever-evolving retail industry.