Retail Technology Conclave 2017 focuses on innovation, collaboration & transformation in the Digital World

Retailers Association of India (RAI), the apex body of small, independent and large retail businesses in the country, recently hosted Retail Technology Conclave 2017 (ReTechCon), industry’s biggest knowledge-sharing platform focused on technology in retail. The theme for the one-and-a-half day Conclave was ‘Innovation. Collaboration. Transformation in the Digital World’. Speaking about the relevance of theme to retail businesses, Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, RAI said, “We live in a digital world. Retailers have to innovate consistently to win in the marketplace. They have to create new experiences, offer new products and services to customers and ensure that customer retention is guaranteed. Today, customer centricity cannot be obtained without innovation, collaboration and continuous transformation.”

The conclave saw insightful panel discussions on key areas of retail, including creating delightful customer experiences using digital, supply chain transformation, adopting the phygital way, innovations in digital payments, capturing micro-moments in digital marketing, harnessing the potential of hyperlocal technologies and Future of Point of Sale (POS) systems. An addition to ReTechCon this year was ReTechCon SME, a separate conference track within the larger Conclave, aimed at helping small and medium sized retailers overcome challenges in technology and aid in digital adoption so they too get equipped to serve the digital-savvy customer. Industry experts like Abhilasha Joshi, Business Head, Juice Salons; Bhupesh Dinger, Director – Operations, Enrich Salons & Academy; Gulshan Bakhtiani, Director, Wellness Forever and Rajiv Nair, CEO, Kaya Ltd. interacted with SME retailers.

ReTechCon 2017 also hosted the second addition of ReTech Startup Awards, to celebrate the spirit of entrepreneurship. Out of the scores of entries received, 10 shortlisted start-up companies presented 10-minute pitches to a Grand Jury. The top 3 winning start-ups were then felicitated at a ceremony the same evening. “Startups are the growth engines of the economy. With their ideas and fresh perspectives, they bring significant amount of value to the way the retail business is being driven in the most modern way. Through the Awards, we, at RAI, recognise their contribution to the growth of retail industry in India,” said Rajagopalan.