Hyderabad, August 6, 2025: Retailers Association of India (RAI) hosted the fourth edition of the Hyderabad Retail Summit (HRS) on August 06, 2025 at the Hotel ITC Kohenur Hyderabad. HRS is a content-led platform for industry stakeholders across categories to come together to learn, connect and engage in a common dialogue over issues relevant to retail in the region.
Speaking about the developments in the retail industry, Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India (RAI), said, “Telangana has emerged as a stronghold for retail growth by blending economic expansion, digital-first governance, and a tech-enabled ecosystem. From modern malls to kirana stores adopting e-commerce, the state supports growth across formats. Retailers gain confidence here, not just from a customer base willing to spend, but from a government that enables, real estate that invites expansion, and infrastructure that helps businesses scale.”
Highlights of the Hyderabad Retail Summit (HRS) 2025 were the in-depth panel discussions on topics such as The Future of Retail and How to Futureproof Ourselves, Managing Margins While Scaling: What Retailers Should Focus On, Brand Building & Customer Loyalty: Earning Trust in the Digital Age, Marketing & Omnichannel Mastery: Engaging the Connected Consumer, Staying Ahead of the Curve: Adapting to Changing Retail Technology, and Navigating CX: Building Loyalty Through Customer Experience.
Sharing valuable insights on these panels were some prominent faces of the retail industry in the region, namely – P Jayakumar, CEO, Apollo Pharmacy; Madhukar Gangadi, Founder & CEO, Medplus Health Services; Kiran Shinde, CEO, PMJ Jewels; Abhinay PVS, MD, RS Brothers Retail India Pvt. Ltd.; Y. Siva Govardhan Reddy, Business Head, Skandhanshi Retail Pvt. Ltd.; Sheetal Patil, CEO, Cream Stone Ice Cream Concepts, and Gautam Gupta, CEO, Paradise Food Court among others.
Speaking at the event, Avnish Kumar, Director, Neeru’s | Chairman, RAI Hyderabad Chapter, said, “The biggest shift in Indian retail today is the rising demand for authenticity and relatability. Whether it’s through ethnic fashion or curated shopping journeys, customers are no longer just buying products—they’re buying narratives. In Telangana, especially, we’re seeing younger, digital-native shoppers value a brand’s story and values as much as its price or quality. Retailers must now invest in brand-building as much as expansion to remain relevant.”
P. Jayakumar, CEO, Apollo Pharmacies Ltd. | Vice Chairman, RAI Hyderabad Chapter, expressed, “Retail success today hinges on operational intelligence—especially in health and wellness. From predictive inventory to hyperlocal fulfilment, data-backed decisions are helping us meet needs faster and more affordably. The key isn’t just technology, but how we use it to deliver trust, access, and value. Health retail in particular has become a blueprint for scalable, need-first omnichannel models.”
Gautam Gupta, EIR Samara Capital, added, “In F&B retail, the challenge isn’t just to serve great food-it’s to serve great memories. Customer expectations have moved beyond hygiene and taste to seamless digital ordering, personalisation, and ambiance. What’s exciting is how traditional formats like ours are adapting-using tech not to replace the human element, but to elevate it. That’s the future of experience-led retail in India.”
Commenting on broader business trends, Arshad Dhamani, Director, Kumar Shirts, said, “Today’s customer is increasingly value-conscious, with a growing preference for casual and athleisure wear. In menswear especially, we’ve seen strong brand loyalty, which has only deepened in the post-pandemic period. The shift in customer behaviour is clear, India’s consumption story is evolving rapidly, and we are committed to being an integral part of that journey. As a brand that has stood for quality since 1987, Kumar Shirts continues to adapt while staying rooted in its legacy. With over three decades of experience, we understand that relevance today means combining trust, quality and price sensitivity with timely innovation.”
HRS 2025 is Powered by National Mart. Platinum Partners included Neeru’s Indian Ethnic and Amazon; Associate Partners include Apollo Pharmacy, Apollo 24/7, Café Niloufer; DONRACKS as Retail Fixture Partner, i-TEKRFID as RFID Partner; Event Partners include Radiwalla.in, Kumar (shirts and trousers), Sen Security Solutions; TRRAIN as Charity Partner, STOrai as the Magazine Partner, Digital Magazine Partner – Replenish and RAI Global Linker as Networking Partner.
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, to promote and sustain retail investments in communities from coast to coast, and to enhance consumer choice and industry competitiveness.
Visit: www.rai.net.in
Follow on Twitter: @rai_india
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