KRS 2025 Highlights Technology, Consumer Insights, and Growth Opportunities in Eastern India’s Retail Sector

Kolkata: 2025/12/04: The Retailers Association of India (RAI) successfully organised the Kolkata Retail Summit (KRS) 2025, also known as the Retail Convention of Eastern India, on December 2, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency, Kolkata. This year’s edition brought together retailers, service providers, and industry leaders to strengthen collaboration, uncover new avenues for growth, and delve into the evolving future of the retail sector, with a strong emphasis on the rise of omnichannel strategies.

The summit offered thought-provoking discussions, meaningful networking opportunities, and a dynamic exchange of ideas on the latest trends shaping the retail landscape. KRS 2025 reaffirmed its position as a premier platform for inspiring innovation and forging partnerships within the region’s rapidly expanding retail ecosystem.

Speaking about KRS 2025 and the retail landscape in Eastern India, Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India (RAI), said, “Eastern India’s retail landscape is entering a defining era, driven by rising consumer demand, strong main-street and mall leasing activity, and the rapid evolution of logistics networks. With fashion, food, and lifestyle brands expanding aggressively and new retail formats emerging across cities like Kolkata, the region is fast becoming one of the country’s most dynamic retail growth corridors. As retailers blend heritage with innovation and embrace more experience-led models, Eastern India is steadily shaping itself into a sustained and future-ready retail hub.” 

Sagar Daryani, Co-Founder & CEO, Wow! Momo Foods Pvt. Ltd., Chairman, Kolkata Chapter, RAI, expressed, “The East has always been high on culture, but today it’s also high on consumer experimentation. Whether it’s food, fashion, or digital-first brands, customers here are open to trying what’s new — as long as it feels authentic. The brands winning in this region are not just scaling products, but scaling identity, pride, and emotion. That’s what turns a business into a brand.” 

Iffat Jahan, Director, Metto Supermarket Pvt. Ltd., said, “The East is no longer a ‘catch-up’ market; it’s a learning market. From neighbourhood kiranas to organised supermarkets, we’re seeing a decisive shift toward convenience-driven retail where trust, access, and relevance matter more than size. Digital payments and home delivery may have been trends elsewhere, but here, they are becoming the foundation of everyday retail behaviour. 

Rohit Kedia, Co-Founder & Director, Style Baazar, Baazar Style Retail Ltd., added, “The biggest opportunity in Eastern India lies between aspiration and affordability. Consumers across Tier 2 and 3 cities are asking for variety, not just value — and that’s where regional retailers have an edge. We understand local tastes, festivals, lifestyle preferences, and family-driven buying decisions. That’s why homegrown retail brands from the East are now scaling nationally.” 

Ravee Shanker, CMO, Krishna Bhumi Arcade, said, “Retail today is not just about selling space — it’s about building destinations. In Eastern India, shoppers are demanding more immersive experiences, curated retail clusters, and lifestyle-led environments. Malls are no longer real estate assets; they are community hubs where food, culture, entertainment, and commerce merge to create long-term consumer loyalty.” 

KRS 2025 featured insightful panel discussions on key themes shaping the retail landscape. Experts explored ‘The New Consumer Playbook: What Shoppers in the East Really Want’, offering deep insights into shifting expectations and emerging buying behaviours. Another session, ‘Experience is Everything: From Storefront to Storytelling’, highlighted how immersive retail environments and authentic brand narratives are redefining shopper engagement. Panelists also examined ‘The Power of Partnership: Retailers, Brands, and Technology Working Together’, underscoring the value of collaboration and integrated solutions in driving growth. The event concluded with forward-looking perspectives in ‘Retail 2025 and Beyond: Building for the Next Generation’, emphasizing innovation, adaptability, and customer-centricity as the pillars of future success. 

Retail leaders speaking at the summit included Aninda Das, VP – Marketing at Infinity Group; Sagar Daryani, Co-Founder & CEO of Wow! Momo Foods Pvt. Ltd. and Chairman of the Kolkata Chapter, RAI; Ankur Agarwal, Founder of Medkart Pharmacy; Deepak Kumar, Founder & CEO of Wah! Puchka (Unifood Delights Pvt. Ltd.); Dipraj Das, Founder & Director of Craft Coffee; Rohit Kedia, Co-Founder & Director of Style Baazar, Baazar Style Retail Ltd.; Shreyans Surana, Co-Founder & Director of Style Baazar, Baazar Style Retail Ltd.; Suman Mukherjee, VP – East Region at Barbeque Nation; and Surbhit Lihala, Sr. Vice President & Head – Banana at Keventer Agro Ltd. among others. 

The Kolkata Retail Summit, is the premier platform for retailers and retail service providers to connect, collaborate, and explore growth opportunities. This year, KRS features a dynamic lineup of panel discussions, fireside chats, and networking sessions, offering attendees the chance to meet potential business partners, customers, and industry peers, all while gaining valuable insights into the evolving retail landscape.

About Retailers Association of India:

Retailers Association of India (RAI) is the unified voice of Indian retailers. RAI works with all the stakeholders for creating the right environment for the growth of the modern retail industry in India. It is a strong advocate for retailing in India and works with all levels of government and stakeholders with the aim to support employment growth and career opportunities in retail, to promote and sustain retail investments in communities from coast-to-coast, and to enhance consumer choice and industry competitiveness. Visit http://www.rai.net.in