Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) [India], January 7: The Retailers Association of India (RAI) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kumaraguru College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (KCLAS), marking a significant step towards deepening collaboration between India’s retail industry and higher education institutions.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Shankar Vanavarayar, President, Kumaraguru Institutions, and Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India, as part of a structured programme focused on the future of retail, innovation, and talent development.
The partnership aims to create sustained engagement between industry and academia through knowledge exchange, student exposure, faculty interaction, research collaboration, and co-created initiatives that reflect the evolving needs of India’s retail ecosystem. The collaboration calendar for 2026-2027, unveiled during the event, outlines a series of engagements including industry sessions, student-led initiatives, experiential learning opportunities, and thought-leadership forums.
Speaking on the occasion, Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India, said, “Through this MoU, RAI is deepening its engagement with academic institutions to better prepare students for a rapidly evolving retail landscape. At the same time, it allows the industry to tap into new thinking and emerging perspectives that students bring. Retail must not only train future professionals, but also remain open to learning from the next generation, shaping its future.”
The MoU aligns with RAI’s broader mission to support the long-term growth and professionalism of the retail sector by investing in future-ready talent and fostering industry-relevant education.
Addressing the gathering, Shankar Vanavarayar, President, Kumaraguru Institutions, said, “At Kumaraguru, we believe education must remain deeply connected to the world it seeks to serve. Our partnership with the Retailers Association of India is a step towards creating meaningful learning ecosystems where industry insight, academic rigour, and entrepreneurial thinking come together. This MoU will enable our students and faculty to engage directly with the retail sector, encouraging innovation, applied research, and future-ready skills that are essential for India’s economic and social progress.”
This partnership reflects a shared vision between RAI and Kumaraguru Institutions to nurture talent, encourage innovation, and contribute meaningfully to India’s retail growth story through structured, long-term collaboration.
About the Retailers Association of India (RAI)
The Retailers Association of India is the unified voice of Indian retailers, representing a wide spectrum of retail formats across the country. RAI works closely with industry stakeholders and policymakers to create a favourable ecosystem for retail growth, while driving knowledge-sharing, best practices, and leadership development across the sector.
Visit: www.rai.net.in | Follow on Twitter: @rai_india]
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