The two day, 5th Edition of Indian Retail Congress 2016 commences today

New Delhi, India: Franchise India, Asia’s largest Franchise solution company, today successfully commenced the 5^th edition of the Indian Retail Congress 2016. The two day summit saw Corporate, Start-ups, Entrepreneurs from the Retail and eRetail space come together to discuss, share experiences and learn from each other, which will help them to grow their business and in the process the retail landscape of India further.

Speaking on the summit and the retail scenario of India, Ms. Ritu Marya, Editor in Chief, Franchise India said “today customers are changing and because of new technologies, companies are getting better ideas and ways to serve and reach them. They do not care whether their experience is online or offline it is the product that matters to them. That’s why, on how we retail is the key as we have to keep innovating to reach them. Omni channel is the game changer and hw each will adapt to this change will be crucial for each one of us”.

Chief Guest, Shri Atul Chaturvedi, IAS, Joint Secretary, DIPP, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, GOI said “There is a huge growth in the Indian Retail and eRetail sector. The Retail industry in the coming times will prove to be a huge growth driver for the warehousing as well as Manufacturing scenario of the country and which is good news as this will help create huge job opportunities for the youth. There is a big role that the Social Media is playing today where retailers as well as consumers are expressing themselves. Also to back this up is the young start-us / entrepreneurs who are coming in with brilliant ideas”.

Talking on trends, the Indian Retails Congress witnessed Mr. Krish Iyer, President & CEO, Walmart India share his views “I have not seen a more vibrant Retail growth in India as I have seen in the last few years. I think the entire growth strategy will depend on Manufacturing in India and that’s where the Make in India initiative by the Indian Government will come into play. Manufacturing contributing to 25% of GDP will help us grow and in the process create jobs for the 1 million youth of India. The vision of our honourable PM, he wants more job creators than seekers in the country is encouraging and this has been backed by all the initiatives like ‘Make in India’, ‘Digital India’, Start-up India and ‘Skill India’ which is a positive feeler for all of us to grow the industry and the economy. Also the recent policy announcement by the Government for the ecommerce marketplace was much required as this helps everyone create a level playing field. Another announcement was the 100% FDI in food marketing which will open the market further”.

Speaking on food marketing, Mr. Iyer added “We are aware of the issues of food marketing in India and the wastage that is involved because of not a strong warehousing, logistics and too many intermediaries involved. What is needed is good investment in food marketing and processing, which can be tapped into and where everyone will benefit”.

Speaking on omni-channel, Mr. Iyer further said “if I have to point out on brand who has adapted the omni-channel route successfully, it is Apple. The phenomenal experience that they create is like a case study and this is possible because of the technology adaptation at the backend. So if you have to be successful in ones omni-channel initiative then it calls for digitisation and investment”.

Forecasting the trends during the Indian Retail Congress 2016, Mr. R S Sodhi, Managing Director, Amul said “Every Retailer today has to follow a simple formula to remain successful and which Amul has been following. One is Value for Many where Amul serve the 3.6 million farmers each day, ensuring a good remuneration which helps their business remain viable. Second, is the Value for Money which takes care of the consumer by adding that extra something for them in the products that they purchase. Simply said, we need to keep the supplier and the consumer happy. Rural India stands at a 70% of the total Indian population in India today but if these farmers are not happy then by 2050 the ratio will change to 50:50, which means that there will be more mouths to feed and lesser hands to produce. So I think in the future whatever policies the Government create in terms of FDI, Food Marketing etc., every decision should be taken keeping the farmers or the producers in mind. We have to ensure that food is produced in India so that farmers are benefitted”.

Speaking on the brand Patanjali and the retail initiatives by the company, Mr. Sodhi further added“What is Patanjali doing? They are making healthy and tasty food and that is the formula. It’s a simple formula and they have understood that in a short period of time”.

By bringing together thought leaders, policymakers as well as the young entrepreneurs together each year since its inception, Franchise India through the Indian Retail Congress has played a significant role in showcasing present trends and how is the Retail sector set to evolve in the future.

The Indian Retail Congress Awards will take place on 30^th April 2016. The awards will recognise the efforts and significant contributions including smart innovations, new entrepreneurs in the block who made a difference etc.

More event updates available at the official event website – http://retail.franchiseindia.com/congress/ and for Start-up KICKOFF

http://www.startupkickoff.in/retail/