RAI and Kumaraguru College Sign MoU to Advance Industry–Academia Engagement in Retail

The Retailers Association of India (RAI) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kumaraguru College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (KCLAS) to strengthen collaboration between the retail industry and higher education. The agreement was formalised in Coimbatore on 5 January 2026 and outlines a structured approach to knowledge exchange, talent development, and applied learning.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Shankar Vanavarayar, President of Kumaraguru Institutions, and Kumar Rajagopalan, Chief Executive Officer of the Retailers Association of India. The partnership is designed to build sustained interaction between academia and industry, with a focus on the future of retail, innovation, and workforce readiness.

As part of the collaboration, RAI and KCLAS will undertake a series of joint initiatives covering the 2026–2027 period. The engagement roadmap includes industry-led sessions, student-driven projects, experiential learning programmes, faculty interaction, research collaboration, and thought leadership platforms aligned with the evolving needs of India’s retail ecosystem.

Commenting on the development, Kumar Rajagopalan noted that the collaboration reflects RAI’s ongoing efforts to engage with academic institutions to support skill development and prepare students for changes in the retail sector. He added that such partnerships also enable the industry to benefit from fresh perspectives and emerging ideas contributed by students.

Shankar Vanavarayar highlighted the importance of aligning education with real-world industry dynamics. He stated that the partnership with RAI would allow students and faculty at Kumaraguru Institutions to engage more closely with the retail sector, encouraging applied research, innovation, and the development of skills relevant to future economic and social needs.

The agreement underscores a shared commitment by RAI and Kumaraguru Institutions to foster long-term collaboration that supports talent development, industry-relevant education, and sustainable growth within India’s retail sector.