A much-needed platform for Eastern India
With limited large-scale retail events in the region, RAI’s Kolkata Summit remains the most-awaited platform where real conversations, real challenges, and real growth stories take centre stage.
A powerhouse retail conversation
The sessions brought together ground-level insights, sharp perspectives, and authentic experiences that reflect how Eastern India is rapidly shaping India’s retail future.
Fireside Chat Highlights
Style Baazar Leadership: Purpose-driven value retail
The MD’s standout line echoed through the hall:
“We can provide a complete day’s fashion for a person in just ₹1,000.”
It captured the brand’s clarity, efficiency, and deep understanding of India’s value-driven consumer.
Tier-2 & Tier-3 India as the growth engine
Rohit Kedia highlighted the power of organic expansion:
“Word of mouth is our strongest marketing channel.”
Their trust-led model continues to drive growth — 1 store every week, 50 stores a year.
AI as an accelerator, not a threat
Shreyans Surana reinforced a core truth:
“AI is here to accelerate the work.”
Panel Discussions: Quick Snapshots
Experiential Retail Rising — Mystery Rooms
Prateek Panjwani shared how the strong performance of their second franchise in Kolkata reflects the region’s growing appetite for new-age entertainment formats.
First-Time Voices Making an Impact — Jolly Chanda
Jolly Chanda of Satin Rose Beauty Salon made her debut on the RAI stage, bringing honesty, authenticity, and a refreshing new lens to the conversation.
Scaling Through Collaboration — Dhanwantary Pharmacy
Ravindra Khandelwal discussed the importance of partnering with an Ahmedabad-based tech firm — reinforcing that collaboration is essential for scaling modern retail.
Craft Coffee’s Growth Story
Deepraj Das explained how sourcing directly from planters in Chikkamagaluru has helped Craft Coffee expand to 14 outlets while maintaining quality and consistency.
Organising India’s Produce Market — Keventer Agro
Surbhit Lihala highlighted how streamlining the highly unorganised banana market has become a major B2B advantage for the company.
Tech Talent Beyond Metros — BlueHorse Software
Vineet Agarwala showcased how a 60-member tech team operating out of Midnapore now powers major brands like Manyavar — proving innovation is truly geography-agnostic.
(First-time presence acknowledged.)
Blue Tea
Blue Tea brought a refreshing FMCG success story with global reach, while first-time speaker Sunil Chandra Saha added depth to conversations on customer-centric retail and business evolution.
Brownie Factory
Their contribution added innovation, freshness, and start-up energy to the summit.
Regional Flavours Going National — Wah! Phuchka’s
Deepak Kumar shared Wah! Phuchka’s ambitious expansion across India, including new outlets in Pune.
He emphasised his mission to take Kolkata’s beloved phuchka-inspired flavours and litti traditions nationwide — showcasing how Eastern street-food brands are scaling with confidence.
Heritage Retail in Expansion Mode — Indian Silk House Agencies & Vcut
Darshan Dudhoria highlighted the brand’s ongoing expansion journey, where a rich textile legacy blends seamlessly with a modern retail approach.
His discussion underscored how traditional Eastern brands are evolving, diversifying, and opening new stores for a wider national audience.
Fireside Chat 2 — Design, Tradition & the Modern Jewellery Consumer
Speaker: Joita Sen, Director – Marketing & Designs, Senco Gold Ltd.
Moderator: Dr. Hitesh Bhatt, Director – Marketing & Communications, RAI; Editorial Director, STOrai Magazine
Tech Participants & Their Presence at the Summit
The summit featured strong participation from tech partners who presented solutions that are now essential for retail scalability:
- i-TEK RFID – RFID partner; Ashim Ashok Patil participated in the Power of Partnership panel
- BlueHorse Software – Panel speaker & tech partner
- Onex Solutions – Platinum partner; Dipak H. Agarwal as panel speaker
- Smart Ping – Tech solutions showcased
Their presence reinforced a clear message:
In Eastern India’s retail growth story, tech is no longer optional — it is the backbone of speed, efficiency, and scale.
Retail Real Estate: The Next Frontier of Growth
Expanding Horizons in Tier-2 & Tier-3 Cities
Retail real estate players highlighted how new developments are rapidly reshaping the eastern landscape.
Projects like Krishna Bhumi Arcade in Vrindavan and Shriram Ozone are spearheading expansion in emerging cities such as Bokaro, Ranchi, and Dhanbad.
This reflects a powerful trend:
The next phase of retail growth will be built on the foundation of high-quality real estate beyond metros.
