Chennai Retail Summit 2025: RAI Showcases Innovation and the Next Phase of Retail
Chennai, July 16, 2025: The Retailers Association of India (RAI) successfully hosted the Chennai Retail Summit 2025 at the prestigious ITC Grand Chola, Chennai, bringing together influential leaders and decision-makers from across the Indian retail landscape. Held under the theme “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 environment, the summit reinforced the city’s growing reputation as a hub of retail innovation and collaboration. The summit also featured a keynote address by esteemed industrialist Mr. R. G. Chandramogan, Founder of the Hatsun Group, and a special address by Ba. Ramesh, Joint Managing Director of Thangamayil Jewellery, further building on the summit’s legacy 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 for modern retail, with many businesses evolving their formats over the last five decades. What makes the state unique is the depth of retail activity across its towns. Consumers here are informed, and open to new formats and technologies. The state also benefits from a strong technology backbone, which is helping retailers adopt smarter systems and digital tools to serve customers better. Retail in Tamil Nadu is also a major contributor to livelihoods, offering employment across sales, logistics, supply chains, and support services. The broader ecosystem here enables retail businesses to grow, experiment, and scale responsibly. When retailers gather in Tamil Nadu, it offers a meaningful glimpse into how the sector continues to adapt and thrive.”
The summit featured a distinguished lineup of speakers who brought rich experience and diverse perspectives to the table. Among them were R. Balachandar, Managing Director of Haribhavanam Restaurants India Pvt. Ltd., Balachandar R, Director of Junior Kuppanna, Suhail Sattar, Director of Hasbro Clothing (Basics), C.K. Kumaravel, Co-Founder and CMD of Naturals Salon & Spa, and Palaniswamy Vanjimuthu, Director of Boomerang Ice Cream. Each speaker offered practical insights and thought leadership on navigating today’s challenges and capitalizing on tomorrow’s opportunities.
Panel discussions at the summit delved into critical themes such as “Scaling Up Smartly: Strategies for Sustainable Growth,” “Tradition Meets Innovation: Bridging Retail Generations,” “Beyond the Metros: Big Opportunities in Smaller Cities,” and “Retail Tomorrow: Trends Shaping the Next Decade.” These conversations sparked engaging dialogue on sustainable expansion, intergenerational business transitions, the untapped potential of non-metro markets, and the technologies and consumer behaviours shaping the future of retail.
Balachandar R, Director, Junior Kuppanna: "Retail in Tamil Nadu is rooted in deep customer relationships. As we grow, we’re seeing a shift—not in what people value, but in how they access it. Whether it’s food or fashion, the future lies in being consistent across formats, not necessarily being everywhere at once. What works in Madurai may not work in Coimbatore, and recognising these nuances is key."
Suhail Sattar, Director, Hasbro Clothing (Basics) and chairman, RAI, Chennai Chapter: "The customer base in Tamil Nadu is evolving rapidly; they're young, connected, and brand-aware, yet still price-conscious and loyal to value. For apparel retail, this means striking a fine balance between trend and utility. We’re not just selling clothes anymore, we’re responding to changing expectations across multiple touchpoints."
Sunil Sanklecha, Founder, Nuts ‘N’ Spices, and Vice Chairman, RAI Chennai Chapter: “Retail in Tamil Nadu has always had strong fundamentals — trust, consistency, and a deep connection with customers. What we’re seeing now is a generational shift in how those fundamentals are being delivered. Technology, better supply chains, and evolving customer expectations are pushing even traditional retailers to rethink their approach. At the same time, the retail sector continues to create meaningful employment across formats. It’s a space that’s dynamic, resilient, and closely tied to the aspirations of local communities.”
The 2025 edition of the Chennai Retail Summit highlighted RAI’s continued vision for a progressive retail landscape, bringing together key voices to drive innovation and chart the course for the sector’s future.
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.
Visit: www.rai.net.in | Follow on Twitter: @rai_india
