RAI Chennai Retail Summit 2026 Brings Industry Leaders Together; India Retail Excellence Awards Winners Announced

Retail professionals discuss emerging trends and growth opportunities as RAI honours businesses across multiple retail categories

Retail leaders discuss the changing retail landscape

Held under the theme "The Changing World of Retail", the summit served as a platform for discussions on retail trends, business growth opportunities and the evolving consumer landscape.

The event also highlighted Chennai's role as a growing destination for retail innovation, investment and industry collaboration.

RAI CEO on Tamil Nadu's retail evolution

Kumar Rajagopalan, Executive Director and CEO, Retailers Association of India (RAI), said:

“Tamil Nadu has been at the forefront of India's retail evolution. The state had chain stores more than 70 years ago thanks to customer-focused business owners and the depth of its retail culture. The family businesses here have witnessed three to four generations transform the retail offerings and brand positioning to meet new consumer realities. A different pace and the precision required today to be salient to customers. An experience that is personalised enough for customers to feel seen and served. That combination — cultural depth and technological ambition — is what makes Tamil Nadu's retail moment genuinely exciting.”

Industry speakers share perspectives

The summit featured sessions by industry leaders including Venkatesh Vijayaraghavan, MD & CEO of TTK Prestige Ltd.; Suhail Sattar, Director of Hasbro Clothing (Basics); Balachandar R., Director of Junior Kuppanna; and Balakrishnan GP, a member of the Leadership Team at Super Saravana Stores, among others.

SUHAIL SATTAR, Director, Hasbro Clothing (Basics) | Chairman, RAI Chennai Chapter, said:

"This market rewards honesty. If the product is good, price it right and make the store worth walking into — Chennai's consumer will find you. What's changed is the speed. The consumer moves faster now. She decides quicker, expects more, and has more options than ever before. The brands winning today are the ones keeping what made them trusted while moving fast enough to stay relevant."

BALACHANDAR R., Director, Junior Kuppanna, said:

"Tamil Nadu's consumer knows when you're cutting corners. You can't win them with packaging or marketing. They've grown up with good food, good service, and real value, and they expect all three, every single time. Our job is to make sure that every time someone walks in, they leave feeling it was worth it. That's the only strategy that works here."

C.K. KUMARAVEL, Co-Founder & CMD, Naturals Salon & Spa, said:

"Tamil Nadu taught me that trust is everything. The consumer here is loyal, but she earns that loyalty from you — you don't get it for free. Get the experience right, treat your people well, and she'll come back. She'll bring her daughter. She'll recommend you to her neighbour. That word-of-mouth is more powerful than any campaign we've ever run."

India Retail Excellence Awards 2026 winners announced

The India Retail Excellence Awards (IREA), organised annually by the Retailers Association of India (RAI), concluded the summit by recognising retail businesses across multiple categories. Entries were shortlisted by a reputed audit agency and evaluated by an industry jury panel.

Summit concludes with focus on retail collaboration

The Chennai Retail Summit 2026 concluded with discussions focused on collaboration, knowledge sharing and business development across India's retail ecosystem. The event also provided a platform for retailers and industry stakeholders to exchange perspectives on the sector's future.