Rajesh Jain

The inaugural Grand Plenary at the 5th Edition of CII Northern Region Retail & Omnichannel 2026 set the tone for a day of conversations on India’s evolving consumer economy, technology, innovation and sustainable growth. Highlighting the importance of collaboration across government, industry and innovators, Mr Himanshu Chakrawarti, Co-Chairman, CII NR Committee on Retail & Chief Executive Officer, Stellaro Brands (Ace Vector Group), said, “The next phase of India’s consumer economy will be shaped by collaboration between government, industry, innovators and civil society. Progressive policy frameworks, investment in infrastructure and digital public infrastructure, along with skilling, technology and innovation, will together shape the next phase of India’s consumer economy.” Focusing on the need for retailers to balance growth with agility, technology and changing consumer expectations, Mr Ravi Kapoor , Partner & Leader – Retail & Consumer Sector, PwC India, said, “The future of retail will be shaped by how businesses respond to evolving consumer behaviour, harness technology and build resilient, agile models that can sustain growth in an increasingly dynamic consumer landscape.” Throwing light on the evolving role of technology while emphasising the fundamentals of retail, Mr Rajesh Jain, MD & Chief Executive Officer, Lacoste India, said, “Retail is moving from growth at any cost to growth with discipline. Technology, which was once a support function, is quietly moving to the centre, but it must amplify strong fundamentals rather than magnify weaknesses. The future winners will be those who remain grounded while adapting thoughtfully.” Emphasising the changing nature of the Indian consumer and the shift from products to experiences, Mr Arjun Sharma, Vice Chairman, Nexus Select Trust, said, “Retail is no longer about selling products; it is about understanding the new kind of customer. As consumer habits and aspirations change, we are moving from simply buying what we need to discovering what we want, with experiences increasingly becoming an integral part of consumption.” Talking about the unprecedented pace of India’s evolution and the scale of opportunity it presents, Ms Pushpa Bector, Chairperson – CII NR Committee on Retail & Group Executive Director & Business Head Retail, DLF Retail, said, “India is entering a new phase of evolution, and the pace of change we are witnessing today is unprecedented—not only in terms of the market, but also in the scale of opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, investors and consumers. The growing entrepreneurial spirit and the zeal of young people asking, ‘How can I contribute?’ represent an extremely positive change for the country.” @CIIEvents