The Retailers Association of India (RAI) organised the 2nd edition of the North East Retail Summit 2024 (NERS 2024) on May 11, 2024 in Guwahati, marking a significant step forward in harnessing the retail sector's potential across the NorthEastern region of India. This event has quickly become a cornerstone for fostering vital industry relationships and catalysing growth by deliberating on unique regional challenges and seizing new opportunities.
The summit serves as a critical platform for networking and exchanging innovative ideas, drawing retail professionals from the seven states of the North-East: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. It highlighted the importance of collaboration among local leaders to strengthen the retail ecosystem.
Speaking about the summit, Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India (RAI), said, “Today's North East Retail Summit sheds light on the evolved shopping habits of consumers, who have a global outlook and seek quality both in-store and online.
Our focus is on creating modern, attractive shopping destinations and simplifying the business environment. These efforts aim to transform the region into a dynamic retail hub that meets the sophisticated needs of local shoppers, encouraging growth and innovation throughout the region.”
This year’s NERS 2024 featured an impressive line-up of speakers, including top executives and decision-makers from the region's retail sector. Notable speakers included Abhinav Pareek, Director, Bhartiya Jalpan; Ankit Poddar, MD & COO, Poddar Group; Anuj Joshi, Partner, Balaji Udyog; Arnab Das, Director, Kusum LED Lights; Chandan Pareek, CEO, Bhagwati Sales Corporation; Kunal Mordani, Director, Tanishkaa Retails; Pawan Khatuwala, Head - Maintenance, Central Mall; Raja Gohain, Director, MG Solutions (Times Square); Ravindar Jain, Director, Crown Enterprises; Sourav Agarwal, Proprietor, Scalable Solutions; Vikram Bothra, MD & CEO, Chandan Retail (Askaran Binjraj), among others.
“In today's dynamic retail environment, the Northeast presents a landscape brimming with potential, thanks to its increasing disposable income and a diverse consumer base. At Chandan Retail, we have seen firsthand the importance of crafting targeted marketing strategies that resonate with the local culture and preferences.
This summit has provided a valuable platform for sharing insights and strategies on adapting to the regional nuances and overcoming the inherent logistical challenges. As we continue to expand our presence in this vibrant market, we are committed to leveraging local insights to offer tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of Northeast consumers, fostering sustainable growth and a stronger retail ecosystem," said Vikram Bothra, MD & CEO, Chandan Retail (Askaran Binjraj).
The North East Retail Summit 2024 was presented by Central Mall (Guwahati) and Copowered by Turtle. The Gold Partners included Askaran Binjraj, Scalable Solutions, Alphae Barcode Solutions, Crown Enterprise, Kusum LED Lights, and Sohum. The Retailers Association of Assam was the Ecosystem Partner, RAI Global Linkers was the business networking partner and TRRAIN was Charity 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.