RAI Strengthens Regional Retail Ecosystem with 3rd North East Retail Summit

Bringing together retail professionals and thought leaders from across the seven North-Eastern states—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram—the summit focused on building a cohesive ecosystem to address region-specific challenges and tap into emerging opportunities.

Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India, remarked, “Northeast India is a very interesting market for the retail industry. The customers in that part of the country are very well aware of the global trends, are accustomed to multiple languages, and are willing to experiment with items when they get them. However, the logistics and the supply chain can sometimes be hindered thanks to various political situations. We believe that it creates a great opportunity for retailers who want to be there, work with the various service providers and ensure that they are able to provide a seamless experience for customers in the Northeast. Northeast is also a great place to find exceptional people who can serve in the retail industry, and that is a great opportunity and we believe that employment, which is one of the key drivers for retail, can be fulfilled with access to the Northeast part of the country.”

The 2025 edition of the summit featured an esteemed line-up of speakers, who deliberated on topics such as Marketing That Works: Tools, Tactics, and Trust; Business Strategy to Drive Real Outcomes in Today’s Scenario; and Local and Thriving — What Retail in the Northeast Looks Like Today. Retail leaders from the region speaking at the summit included, Vikram Bothra – Chandan Retail (Askaran Binjraj); Kunal Mordani – Tanishkaa Retails; Raja Gohain, Director, MG Solutions (Times Square); Manish Jain- Gangwal Furniture; Subhash Soni – MNJ, Manik Chand Nand Kishore Jewellers; and Gaurav Sureka – Maa Kamakhya Retails, Shop N Save; to name a few.

Vikram Bothra, MD & CEO, Chandan Retail (Askaran Binjraj); Chairman, RAI Northeast Chapter, said, “The true retail story in the Northeast is on the ground, driven by local entrepreneurs. We’ve seen incomes rising and communities are more open to modern retail, but success here takes time. Patience and commitment are essential – brands must earn trust by adapting to local tastes and persisting through the slow build. Our experience shows that targeted strategies resonating with regional culture pay off. Yes, infrastructure and market fragmentation are real challenges, but if retailers stick with it and partner with local players, the rewards will come. I strongly believe the next five years of retail would belong to Assam and the Northeast. When companies are patient and collaborate with those on the ground, even logistical hurdles become surmountable.”

Raja Gohain, Director, MG Solutions (Times Square), said, “We are blending national retail practices with local consumer patterns. We bring national best practices like efficient supply chains and digital payment systems, but we adapt them to local tastes and customs. Digital transformation is changing how Northeast India shops: more consumers are online or using mobile wallets, so we are building a robust e‑commerce and tech support to serve them. At the same time, we honour regional preferences – from festival assortments to local languages in stores. In essence, we merge scale with personalization. By applying nationwide efficiency while staying sensitive to local nuances, we can foster growth in the region.”

Kunal Mordani, Director, Tanishkaa Retails, said, “Northeast consumers are evolving fast. They have rising disposable incomes and now expect the same quality and convenience as shoppers elsewhere. This means we must adapt our operations – investing in technology, optimizing our supply chains, and tailoring assortments for local tastes. For example, the growth of quick commerce is helping us meet demand in remote areas. We’re using data analytics to forecast demand across diverse geographies and aligning inventory to festivals and seasons unique to the region. By staying flexible and customer-centric, we can win in this challenging but high-potential market.”

As the North-East continues to evolve as a promising retail frontier, NERS 2025 has further cemented its place as a catalyst for industry growth, partnership-building, and regional development. The summit was co-powered by Infinity, Go Beyond and the Gold Partner was Askaran Binjraj. The Retailers Association of Assam was the Ecosystem Partner, TRRAIN was Charity Partner, Storai was Magazine Partner and Replenish was Digital Marketing Partner.

About Retailers Association of India:

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 with the aim to support employment growth and career opportunities in retail, to promote and sustain retail investments in communities from coast-to-coast, and to enhance consumer choice and industry competitiveness.

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