RAI Connected Commerce Conclave 2026 Highlights AI, Omnichannel Retail and Future Commerce
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The Retailers Association of India (RAI) hosted the inaugural edition of the Connected Commerce Conclave (CCC) 2026 at the Sheraton Grand Bangalore on July 30, bringing together retail executives, technology providers, D2C founders, investors and policymakers to discuss the next phase of connected commerce in India.
Positioned as India's first retail conclave dedicated to connected commerce, the event focused on the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI), real-time data, omnichannel operations and changing consumer behaviour. Bengaluru, recognised as one of India's leading retail and technology hubs, served as the venue for discussions on retail innovation, digital transformation and emerging business opportunities.
Industry Leaders Discuss Customer-Centric Connected Commerce
Addressing the conclave, Kumar Rajagopalan, Executive Director and CEO, Retailers Association of India (RAI), said connected commerce is centred on customer experience, with technology acting as the enabler for retailers to deliver consistent and personalised interactions across digital and physical channels.
The conclave featured a series of fireside chats, panel discussions and roundtables covering topics including:
- The New Customer Journey
- Data, Decisions and the AI Shift
- Supply Chain Advantage
- Human + Digital Retail Experiences
- Category Creation and Brand Building
- Discovery to Delivery Customer Journeys
- HR in a Digital Retail Environment
Industry Participation
The event brought together executives from across India's retail ecosystem, including representatives from Amazon, Visa, Shadowfax, Furlenco, Zivame, Arvind Fashions, Easybuy, Blissclub, Soch Apparels, Fossil India, NEWME, House of Rare, PN Rao Fine Suits, The Yellow Dwelling, Dogsee Chew, AS-IT-IS Nutrition and several other retail and technology companies.
Amazon Highlights Connected Commerce Opportunity
Speaking at the event, Ramaswami Lakshman, Director of Emerging Markets FBA, Amazon, said India's retail sector presents a $3.5 trillion connected commerce opportunity, driven by the integration of physical and digital retail experiences. He also highlighted Amazon's long-term investment plans in India and the company's efforts to support small businesses through digitisation initiatives.
Retail Leaders Share Industry Perspectives
Retail executives discussed how consumer purchasing behaviour continues to evolve, with customers increasingly completing research online before visiting physical stores. Speakers also highlighted the growing importance of operational efficiency, AI-enabled decision-making, seamless omnichannel experiences and stronger collaboration across the retail ecosystem.
The discussions emphasised that connected commerce extends beyond technology adoption to include improvements in customer engagement, supply chain efficiency, compliance, digital skills and business scalability.
Focus on Future Retail
The inaugural Connected Commerce Conclave concluded with discussions on the future of retail, highlighting Bengaluru's role as a key centre for retail technology, digital commerce and innovation. RAI said the platform will continue to facilitate industry dialogue and knowledge sharing as retailers adapt to changing consumer expectations and technology-driven business models.