Page 33 - Images Retail January 2018

COVER STORY

n order to highlight reports, scope, data,
achievements, opportunities, all of which are
challenges and future making the region the new
prospects in retail hub of the retail industry.
of the Southern, the Th e focus of the conference
I third edition of the was to explore bigger and
South India Retail Summit better opportunities, align
(SIRS) was held at the ITC with the national vision and
Gardenia, Bengaluru on provide a platform for all the
December 6, 2017. Th e event stakeholders in South Indian
was graced by the who’s who retail industry to learn, share
of the retail industry who and evolve with the masters
all converged on a single in the business.
platform to discuss key retail L to R: Venkatesh Parthasarathy, Pratik Shah, Vasanth Kumar, Veena Kumaravel,
issues, retail solutions and Session highlights CS Suryanarayanan
best practices within the Th e summit kicked off with
industry. the SIRS Research session on
Th e day long conference ‘Intelligence on Changing
comprised of sessions, Landscape in Retail’ which
discussions and presentations was presented by Vineet
on the South Indian retail Satija, Associate Director,
industry featuring in-depth Corporate Finance, PwC. Th e
analysis of the achievements, session focused on the forces
which are shaping the future
of retail across India. He
talked about the developing
innovative solutions to
increase convenience. He
also talked about the role that
technology plays in shaping L to R: Sumit Arora, M Ramakrishnan, C Gopalakrishnan, Rahul Bhalchandra,
the future of retail in years to Piyush Chowhan, Seshu Kumar, Amit Thapliyal
Vineet Satija
come.
Th e second research a brand into the shopper’s focus should be on building
session, ‘Shopping journey across a range of imagery around the brand
Reinvented – A Focus on industries, geographies and and develop the art of
India’ was presented by companies,” Hanif noted. storytelling to capture the
Farhat Hanif, Global Market Harish Bijoor, Brand Guru consumer’s interest in the
Analyst, Euromonitor & Founder, Harish Bijoor product or service as per
International. He spoke on Consults Inc. shared insights requirement, he said in his
the constant fl ux of economic about the latest trend in sitting.
Harish Bijoor
and technological realities the retail industry. In his Following this was the mega
and how the consumer buys brief session, ‘Th e Ethos inaugural keynote session on
goods and services in the of Building a Brand: Top ‘Th e Bahubalis of Retail –Th e
shadow of this situation. Creative Marketing Ideas Golden South Powering
“Today’s consumer, shops for Retailers-Maximum Indian Retail’ which was
across multiple platforms Bang for your Buck’, he moderated by BS Nagesh,
and merchants must be well talked about the day-to-day Founder, TRRAIN.
prepared to engage with them operations of the retailers Joining the panel were
Farhat Hanif at anytime and anywhere. and creative marketing ideas Venkatesh Parthasarathy,
Th e ideal customer journey which delivers great returns at MD, Foodworld Supermarkets
weaves a brand into the minimal cost. and Health & Glow; Vasanth
entire experience, providing He also discussed the Kumar, Executive Director,
value before, during, and role brainstorming plays Lifestyle International (Max
after the purchase. Shopping in formulating creative Retail Division); Pratik Shah,
reinvented will provide a marketing ideas as well as CEO, Specsmakers Opticians;
framework to understand promotional events, which CS Suryanarayanan,
some of the successful would within the budget Founder & MD, SolveSmart
BS Nagesh strategies, of incorporating and not too expensive. Th e International, Singapore; and

JANUARY 2018 | IMAGES RETAIL | 33