Dear Colleagues in Retail

It is my proud privilege to be chairing the 2009 edition of India Retail Forum (IRF), which over the years has become the annual convergence point for the best retail minds in the country. Those who have attended this forum before would know that IRF offers a lot more than just speeches, presentations and discussions. IRF stimulates every sensory organ of ours for complete rejuvenation of our minds, bodies and souls.

I welcome your participation at the magnum opus of India retail scheduled to be held at the Renaissance, Mumbai, India on 16th & 17th Sep '09.

I saw a big opportunity in retail in 1991 when Shoppers Stop started and many fashion companies opened glitzy stores across the country. Later emergence of Mr. Kishore Biyani’s Pantaloon Retail took India by storm. The opportunity grew manifold with India’s corporate majors like Tata, Birla, RPG, Godrej, ITC, DCM, Reliance, Bharti and top global retailers entering retail businesses in India.

The last three years saw steep rises and falls and many suffered injuries. While individually we might have gained or lost in the run so far, but the road ahead certainly holds a ‘BIG’ promise for the challengers. I see a great opportunity for retailers with a long term perspective to emerge strongly and become a great force for the future.

This probably is the best opportunity when all of us have learned to be more efficient, conserve and yet deliver more. Mall developers are looking at retailers as partners to give them revenue share options. There have been heavy investments in technology, telecom, infrastructure, supply chain and logistics to support retail and our Indian consumers are continuing to consume at a higher rate of growth than any other country in the world. With the new government in place and the positive steps that they are taking, we have seen uplift in consumption of all products and services.

I don’t remember having seen such congregation of opportunities in the last two decades. It’s time to explore emerging pockets of consumption and develop new markets which can not be done by a single retailer or a mall.

Aptly themed ‘Retail for India Tomorrow’, IRF intends to prepare us for a better tomorrow. Mall developers, IT, supply chain, logistics, shop-fit partners, vendors and franchisees – I call upon all to invest two days at this mega congregation to discuss every possibility of collaboration for growth.

The two day event will be an excellent opportunity for our international guests to get a feel of Indian retailing. Going by past experience, we expect active participation of all top retailers from every vertical and format of retail. Do not miss this opportunity. Join all of us at IRF 2009 to learn from each other as to how we can create the best retail environment in India for all stake holders.

I shall be happy to receive your suggestions to make IRF more meaningful for you and others. You can write to me at chairman@indiaretailforum.in

Looking forward to your participation and fruitful interaction with you at the IRF.

With best wishes,

B S Nagesh
Chairman, India Retail Forum ‘09