Chennai Retail Summit 2025: RAI showcases the next phase of innovation and retail
The Retailers Association of India (RAI) successfully hosted the Chennai Retail Summit 2025 at the prestigious ITC Grand Chola in Chennai, bringing together influential leaders and decision-makers from across the Indian retail landscape. Held under the theme “The Changing World of Retail”, the summit served as a vibrant platform for industry stakeholders to exchange insights, explore growth opportunities and navigate the evolving dynamics of retail in India.
Set against the backdrop of Chennai’s thriving retail ecosystem, the summit reinforced the city’s growing reputation as a hub for retail innovation and collaboration. The founder of the Hudson Group, esteemed industrialist Mr. R. G. Chandramohan and a special address by P. Ramesh, Joint Managing Director, Thangamayil Jewellers, further built on the Summit’s tradition of forward-thinking dialogue and industry inspiration.
Speaking about the summit, Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India (RAI), said, “Tamil Nadu has long been a pioneer in modern retailing, with many businesses developing their formats over the past five decades. The depth of retail operations in its cities makes the state unique. Consumers here are informed, open to new formats and technologies. The state also benefits from a strong technological backbone that helps retailers use smart systems and digital tools to better serve customers. Retailing in Tamil Nadu is also a major contributor to livelihoods, providing employment across sales, logistics, supply chains and support services. The vast ecosystem here helps retail businesses grow, experiment and scale responsibly. When retailers gather in Tamil Nadu, it provides a meaningful insight into how the sector continues to adapt and thrive.”
The summit featured a distinguished line-up of speakers who brought a wealth of experience and diverse perspectives. They included R. Balachander, Managing Director, Haribhavanam Restaurants India Pvt. Ltd., Balachander R, Director, Junior Kuppanna, Suhail Sattar, Director, Hasbro Apparel (Basics), C.K. Kumaravel, Co-Founder and CEO, Naturals Salon & Spa, and Palanisamy Vanjimuthu, Director, Boomerang Ice Cream. Each speaker provided practical insights and thought leadership on how to address today’s challenges and seize tomorrow’s opportunities.
Key themes such as “Scaling Smartly: Strategies for Sustainable Growth”, “Tradition Meets Innovation: Connecting Retail Generations”, “Beyond Metropolises: Big Opportunities in Small Cities” and “Retail Tomorrow: Trends Shaping the Next Decade” were explored in panel discussions at the summit. These conversations sparked an engaging conversation on sustainable expansion, intergenerational business transformations, the untapped potential of non-metropolitan markets and the technologies and consumer behaviors shaping the future of retail.
Balachander R, Director, Junior Kuppanna: “Retail in Tamil Nadu is rooted in deep customer relationships. As we grow, we are seeing a shift not in what people value but in how they approach it. Be it food or fashion, the future lies in sustainability in all forms, not necessarily everywhere at once. What works in Madurai may not work in Coimbatore, and it is important to recognize these nuances.”
Suhail Sattar, Director, Apparel (Fundamentals), Hasbro and President, RAI, Chennai Chapter: “The customer base in Tamil Nadu is evolving rapidly; they are young, connected, brand-aware, but still price-conscious and loyal to value. For apparel retail, this means striking a better balance between trend and utility. We are no longer just selling clothes, we are responding to changing expectations across multiple touchpoints.”
Sunil Sanklecha, Founder, Nuts ‘n’ Spices and Vice President, RAI Chennai Chapter: “Retail in Tamil Nadu has always had strong fundamentals – trust, consistency and customer
Deeper engagement with customers. We are now witnessing a generational shift in how those fundamentals are delivered. Technology, better supply chains, and evolving customer expectations are forcing even traditional retailers to rethink their approach. At the same time, the retail sector continues to create meaningful employment in various forms. It is a place that is dynamic, resilient and closely tied to the aspirations of local communities.”
The 2025 edition of the Chennai Retail Summit exemplifies RAI’s continued vision for a progressive retail landscape, bringing together key voices to drive innovation and chart the course for the future of the sector.About RAI
Retailers Association of India (RAI) is the unified voice of Indian retailers. RAI works with all the stakeholders for creating the right environment for the growth of the modern retail industry in India. It is a strong advocate for retailing in India and works with all levels of government and stakeholders to support employment growth and career opportunities in retail, promote and sustain retail investments in communities from coast to coast, and enhance consumer choice and industry competitiveness.
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