Dear friends,
It is my privilege to chair the 2010 edition of the India Retail Forum (IRF) to be held in Mumbai on September 28th & 29th at the Renaissance Hotel. I am thankful to Mr. Sanjiv Goenka for finding me worthy of this honour and for proposing my name as also to Mr. Kishore Biyani and Mr. Thomas Varghese for seconding the proposal.

Bijou Kurien
Chairman, India Retail Forum 2010
President & CE – Lifestyle Reliance Retail Limited

India Retail Forum (IRF) is a congregation of the best retail brands, companies and minds from across the globe and the entire retail support fraternity including retail real estate, design & architecture, merchandise & services, visual merchandising, security and technology.

The 2010 edition of IRF gains special significance as it presents live learning from the market that has shown significant growth in all spheres of economic activities and double digit rise in consumption. What has been the role of modern retail in driving consumption? How some retailers grew fastest during most difficult times? Is the growth sustainable? Who is responsible for retail infrastructure? What would be the best strategy for global players interested in entering the Indian market? How small retailers can be involved and engaged for overall retail growth in the emerging scenario?

The forum brings an opportunity to learn, share and evolve with the masters in the business, explore vibrant ideas, witness innovation in merchandise, spaces, IT and support systems, and network and celebrate outstanding achievements in the business of retail in India.

The ‘Mecca’ for retail captains and policy makers, IRF is a ‘Must Attend’ forum for everyone wanting to connect with Indian market and her consumers.

• Brand Retailers • Department Stores • Discounters • Forecourt Retailers • Hypermarkets • Independent Retailers • Speciality Retailers • Shop fit & Design • Retail Real Estate • Retail IT • Retail Security • CRM & Customer Service• Retail Support • Investors & Funds • Franchisees & Franchisors • Merchandise & Products • Government & Trade Bodies • Service Providers • Academia

It was indeed a privilege to chair the 2009 edition of India Retail Forum (IRF), which effectively captured the positive energies of the best retail minds and signaled the resurgence of retail. I am happy that IRF succeeded in its sole objective of engineering the confidence wave – clearly reflected through the voice and expressions of over 1800 participants in this mega congregation.

My duty now is to hand over the reins of IRF to a representative of the industry who will lift the Forum to greater heights in its seventh year. After getting the views of over 250 industry captains, one name stood out. When this person was nominated by Mr. Sanjiv Goenka of RPG Group and seconded jointly by Mr. Kishore Biyani of Future Group and Mr. Thomas Varghese of Aditya Birla Retail, the opinion of the industry leaders was clear.
B S Nagesh, Chairman, India Retail Forum ´09,
Chairman, Retailers Association of India
Vice Chairman, Shopper´s Stop Ltd.