RLS in its 20th edition marked two decades of bringing together the retail ecosystem, and provided a powerful platform for thought leadership, innovation and collaboration in the industry
Mumbai: The 20th edition of the Retail Leadership Summit (RLS 2026), organized by the Retailers Association of India (RAI), convened leading voices from across the retail ecosystem at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai, on February 16 and 17, 2026. Marking two decades of industry leadership, this landmark edition reaffirmed RLS’s position as India’s flagship retail forum. RLS 2026 provided a powerful platform for thought leadership, innovation and collaboration, addressing the rapidly evolving dynamics of the retail industry.
The summit centred around key themes including customer-centricity, value creation, new-age leadership, sustainability and emerging future paradigms. These focus areas prompted meaningful dialogue among industry leaders, policy-makers and technology experts. Through keynote addresses, expert panel discussions and insight-driven knowledge reports from BCG, Deloitte, Meta and Vector, RLS 2026 underscored the critical importance of innovation, agility and strategic value creation in shaping the future of retail.
Speaking about RLS 2026, Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India (RAI), said, “2025 marked a period of consolidation for Indian retail, with a clear shift from aggressive expansion to strengthening fundamentals — improving customer experience, enhancing the quality of growth, and building sustainable margins across both metros and emerging markets. As we move into 2026, retail will be defined by leadership and execution rather than standalone technology adoption, with customer-centricity, omnichannel integration, sustainability, and future-ready talent emerging as key differentiators, even as AI begins to reshape retail practices and operations. In this context, the Retail Leadership Summit continues to provide much-needed clarity, enabling retailers to look beyond short-term noise and focus on long-term value creation, resilience, and responsible growth. By bringing together peers, policy-makers, solution providers, and allied associations, RLS reinforces RAI’s role as a trusted convenor shaping the future direction of Indian retail.”
Speaking on the retail landscape in India, P. Venkatesalu, Managing Director, Trent Ltd., said, “Indian retail has entered a phase where disciplined execution matters as much as significant expansion. Over the next few years, profitable growth will depend on sharper assortment planning, supply chain responsiveness, and real-time consumer insights. Technology will not be a layer added on top — it will be embedded into merchandising, inventory, and decision-making.”
Sanjay Vakharia, CEO, Spykar Lifestyles Pvt. Ltd., commented, “AI-driven forecasting, demand planning and hyperlocal marketing will become mainstream. However, beyond technology, the real differentiator will be agility — the ability to listen, adapt and respond to consumers in near real time while maintaining strong cost discipline.”
Geetika Mehta, Managing Director, Nivea India, said, “The next wave of retail growth will come from deeper localization and faster design-to-shelf cycles. Brands must build agile sourcing ecosystems, leverage data to anticipate demand, and create experiences that resonate across physical and digital touchpoints.”
RLS 2026 included the grand felicitation of the crème de la crème of the retail industry with India’s Retail Champions Award 2026 and the Retail Start-up Awards 2026. Jewellers Tribhovandas Bhimji Zaveri Ltd and P. N. Gadgil & Sons Ltd were among retail champions honoured at the event.
Over two days, RLS 2026 saw participation of retail leaders, as well as top names in the retail service provider space. Retail stalwarts speaking at the summit included Geetika Mehta, Managing Director, Nivea India; Pooraan Jaiswal, Group CIO, TBZ; Sanjay Vakharia, CEO, Spykar Lifestyles Pvt. Ltd; among others.
RLS 2026 highlighted that the future of retail lies in innovation, adaptability, and seamless consumer experiences. As technology, sustainability, and customer expectations evolve, retailers must go beyond transactions to build deeper connections and immersive experiences. The summit fostered strategic collaborations and fresh insights, paving the way for a more dynamic, resilient, and consumer-driven retail future.
Instituted by Retailers Association of India, the Retail Leadership Summit (better known as RLS) is a gathering of retail leaders, service providers and other stakeholders from the industry. It aims to bring the best brains of the industry together for deliberating and discussing on the ways to take modern retail in India to the next level.
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