The November-December 2023 edition of STOrai Magazine presents a dual focus: an in-depth analysis of the evolving retail industry and an exploration of India's burgeoning wedding market. It discusses the retail sector's shift towards omni-channel strategies and D2C brands, highlighting the fusion of digital and physical shopping experiences. The edition also examines the role of malls in enhancing customer engagement and the growing impact of digital transactions. The magazine also forecasts significant trends for 2024, including the influence of AI in retail and the anticipated effects of India's elections on consumer spending, providing a comprehensive view of the retail landscape's current state and future potential.

In this enlightening edition, we delve into the rapidly evolving landscape of Indian retail, a sector witnessing a paradigm shift towards omnichannel retailing. This isn't just a blend of online and offline platforms; it represents a revolution in offering consumers an engaging, immersive shopping experience. With an eye on the future, our experts analyze the implications of India's burgeoning urban population and the projected quadrupling demand for furniture by 2035. The potential for growth is staggering, yet it comes with challenges. The industry must confront and overcome inherent inefficiencies, particularly the current heavy reliance on imports.

The latest issue of STOrai is out, and we have quite the edition. Join us as we interview D2C leaders, explore retail trends from Hyderabad, and speak to the names that make up the ONDC ecosystem.

Discover the newest edition of STOrai, where prominent retail leaders delve into the dynamic growth of India's retail sector, which is anticipated to reach a staggering $2 trillion valuation. Be sure not to miss our in-depth coverage of the 2023 Retail Leadership Summit, the Retail Learning & Development Summit, an insightful feature on airport retail, and a wealth of other captivating content

2023 is the year of Indian retail. With so many opportunities present to streamline the sector, we look at some of the key factors that define the industry. This edition has articles by government officials, leading industrialists, customer experience experts, and others. The one thing they say: customer experience is the key, and the stronger your CX is, the better it is for your business.

As internet speeds and technology evolved, the shopping experience changed. People now had the option of making purchases with just a swipe of their finger while using a smartphone. Social media platforms such as Facebook capitalised on this, and used its portal, Instagram, and WhatsApp to give companies a platform to directly reach out to the customer, and give them a direct shopping experience. As a result of this tech evolution, our handheld devices have now become shopping carts.

As the world settles into the new normal, some very prominent trends continue to impact retail. Experts are confident that these are not merely passing trends but forces that will permanently change the course of retail. Recognising them and responding to them proactively and in an agile manner can help retailers create a winning strategy for the coming decade. To know what they are and how they will impact your business, download the ‘Reshaping Retail’ Special issue.

P.S: Don’t miss the cover story by Shri Nandan Nilekani, Chairman and Co-Founder, Infosys and Founding Chairman UIDAI (Aadhaar), which calls attention to the homegrown technologies that will change the face of retail in the country.

In the last two years, the Learning & Development (L&D) functions across organisations have stepped up to help skill, re-skill and up-skill the workforce helping businesses meet the unique demands of the situation. The L&D special issue throws light on the changed status of the L&D function from a supporting role to a strategic function and its impact on businesses while addressing some of the challenges faced by L&D professionals.

Businesses have shifted from the reactive mode to the proactive mode. Having experienced the whirlwinds of unplanned change, they are now embarking on a planned strategic journey of change. The issue is packed with advice and insights from industry leaders on different aspects of the big change. Find out key transformation trends, strategic priorities of top retail brands in the county and lots more in this Transformation Special. Download now!

Every dark cloud has a silver lining. In the case of the pandemic, the silver lining was that it taught us many things that will serve us well for the rest of our lives. To learn the lessons the retail industry has learnt, unlearnt and relearnt and access the wealth of insights shared by retail CXOs, download the issue…

The year 2021 holds a lot of promise. Retailers have gone off to a good start with sales figures inching close to pre-pandemic levels. So much has changed in just one year. Even though the vaccinations have started, the pandemic continues to cast its dark shadow. Under such circumstances knowing what to expect will help retailers better prepare for what lies ahead. Equip yourself with insights on shape of things to come with regards to key factors affecting business to help you navigate the maze of uncertainty. Download now!

Often, some of the best things in life come out of the most difficult challenges. Bad times tend to bring out the best in people. Like Louise Philippe once said, “When darkness is at its darkest, a star shines the brightest.” In this ‘Resilience Special’ issue, we bring you stories of several such stars in retail—brands that have shone exemplary resilience and adaptability in the face of crisis. Download the issue to read about the inspirational stories about resilient Indian retail.

Since the nationwide lockdown was announced in March, India has not only been fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, but also its impact on the economy, lives and livelihoods. Retailers have stepped up to the plate to provide sanitation, supply and safety to the nation. Every day you come across heart-warming stories about employees around the world who are taking initiative to help people brave through the crisis and that is what makes retail special—its people. Retailing is a badge of honour and those wearing it are true COVID heroes. This issue is a dedication to the unsung heroes of retail. Read on to equip yourself with learnings from retail experts on how to operate in the ‘New Normal’.

The Indian retail industry has emerged as one of the most dynamic and fast-paced industries in the world. This is thanks to the entry of several new players, introduction of new technologies and rapidly changing consumer behaviour. For retail businesses, the last five years were about adapting to the changes and preparing for 2020. It' time to revisit goals and envisage what lies ahead. As the consumers - relationship with a store and a brand continues to change, it' time to deliberate on the possibilities and recalibrate plans.

Gone are the days when consumers purchased home products only during festivals. The frequency and patterns of purchase for houseware & home products has changed drastically, owing to the increased purchasing power and aspirational consumer lifestyle. Riding on the high demand, the home & housewares market is growing at a healthy 25% - 30% annually. Download the issue to get a window to the thriving industry, highlighting trends, tracing growth drivers and focussing on innovators, innovations and disruption.

Be it, customers or employees, delightful experience to either of them is good for business. Just as the customer experience is critical to generating brand loyalty and driving revenue, the employee experience is important to employee retention, engagement, and wellbeing. As the future of work moves from a work-life balance to a work-life blend, employees want their careers to be a part of their holistic self. The Employee Experience Special issue of STOrai, brings together business and HR heads of reputed retail organisations to share their insights on different aspects of delighting internal customers. Dive right in…

The changing market dynamics have transformed the role of the CFOs from number-crunching to becoming a strategic partner in the growth of the organisation. In addition to analysing profitability and business models, it’s also important for the Next Gen CFos to monitor the results of the business and make strategic decisions to increase efficiencies while maintaining good corporate governance, business ethics and values. This issue of STOrai focuses on the evolution of the role of the CFOs and finance as a function.

“A big business starts small.” - Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Group MSMEs are the lifeblood of the Indian Economy. However, often, MSMEs go into the market unequipped, uninformed and take on the competition based on sheer instinct. Instincts and intuitions do play a role in business decision making but solely relying on them and disregarding tangible principles and data is equivalent to gambling. This issue aims to strengthen the arsenal of MSMEs giving them the big business advantage and level the playing field making retail more vibrant.

In today’s connected and smart world, ignorance is not bliss. It could, in fact, prove fatal to one’s business. It is therefore important to be always updated with the facts. Unfortunately, there are several misconceptions floating around even today. In this issue, we dig through piles of research and reach out to business heads to identify the most prevalent myths about various aspects of retail. Download to uncover the truth behind them…

Historically, man has always used visuals to tell stories, right from cave paintings to modern day cinema. Retail brands have learnt to encapsulate this intrinsic human nature of using visuals to tell stories in their stores, setting themselves apart from the competition. Visual Merchandising (VM) has grown from designing windows to designing experiences for customers. Step into STOrai to witness the Evolution of VM.

To stay relevant it is the need of the hour for organisations to be able to constantly change with the changing world to stay relevant to the consumer, who is constantly changing too. The imperative is for organisations to be agile so that they can adapt quickly to the changes in market forces. What does agility mean, what are the salient features of agile organisations? To know all this and more, download the full issue

Anticipating changes in technology and other market forces is important. However, what's more important is to understand how the customer will change. Because ultimately consumers are the mainstay of a business. Preempting changes in consumer behaviour and other attributes can help retailers prepare accordingly. Read on to get introduced to the consumer of the future.

Advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Drones, Advanced Analytics coupled with The Internet of Things are helping make retail business smarter than one can possibly imagine. Together, they are helping create magic at different touchpoints, gather insights rather than data, connect with consumers to create something that is not just meaningful for them but also for the business. This issue focuses on helping retailers understand all that is smart and cutting edge in retail to become smart. Consumers are getting smarter by the day. It’s time retailers catch up too. Dive right in...

Today's customer is 24/7. So is retail. Strides in technology are transforming supply chain and logistics, enabling retailers to meet the demands of the digital anytime, anywhere world. Read the issue to find out more

Former executive chairman and CEO of Cisco John Chambers has warned that as many as 40% businesses may not exist in a meaningful way in the next 10 years if organisations fail to make customer centricity a part of their DNA. The good news is most retail companies understand the need. The bad news is that they fail to understand its urgency. This issue will help you understand why the hype around customer centricity, how it helps retailers and how you can take taking it and your business to a whole new level. Dive in…

Innovation doesn’t always have to do with technology or require top dollar investment. There are plenty of examples closer home that testify this. This anniversary issue we bring you some such innovations. These retail companies have not necessarily invented something but have approached the mundane from an out-of-box perspective. They have applied innovation in places and areas one would least expect. Curious? Read the issue!

The digital mindset has permeated every aspect of an individual’s life. Those in the retail workforce are no exception to this change. This places unique challenges in front of HR in retail companies. Today, HR has to embrace technology as well as compete with it for keeping its relevance. It can no longer afford to simply tweak policies and programmes; the call of the hour is to Reimagine, Redesign, Recode HR Paradigms for the Digital Age. Read all about it in this Retail HR special issue...

After years of wait, On July 1, the Goods & Services Tax (GST) became a reality in India. There was equal parts excitement and trepidation in the minds of retailers. Confusion as well as misconceptions abounded. There was lack of clarity on various aspects of the law but principally around Reverse Charge Mechanism, Input Tax Credit and Composition. This issue aims to bring clarity on these and many more aspects of GST by explaining some concepts and busting myths. Read on to get insights from some of the foremost experts on the new tax regime.

Winning over the tech-savvy, 24/7 connected consumer requires the retailer to have a transparent agile supply chain, omni-channel capabilities, a digital-ready workforce and mobile-first strategy, in addition to other new-age wherewithal. Every retail organisation seeking to satisfy today’s customers, innovate and stay profitable, will need to work with a wide range of external partners, including competitors. Research establishes an 81% co-relation between collaboration in business and innovation. Collaboration is the need of the hour, the way ahead for all. And it’s an absolute must to not just delight but win over the Connected Consumer.

With GST, BHIM-Aadhaar, the retail scene is really steaming up. But what is sizzling the most is the area of digital payments. So much so that 2017 will go down in history as one that changed the course of payments in Indian retail. The cover story tells it all. There's Reliance Retail 's experience using Aadhaar-based background screening for its employees , Ajmera Tyres retail journey, Wellness Forever's prescription to success, in-store social proofing, Ikea's groundbreaking ideas and Supply Chain. Oh, and don't miss the article on the Good & Bad of GST. There is a lot for you to learn. Download now!

Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi has accurately summed up the contribution of startus to our society. "Startups have always been the engines of progress,” he has said. It is thanks to startups that we can connect with anyone across the world (think Facebook, LinkedIn) or look up any information we need in a matter of seconds (think Google) or make payments in a blink (think paytm). The list goes on and on. While startups are transforming every sphere of our lives and every aspect of trade and commerce, we bring you startups with great potential to create a roaring impact on retail. To find out who they are, dive into the issue.

Sustainability has long been part of the corporate world's Corporate Social Responsibility mandate. However, retailers across the world are slowly realising the value of integrating sustainability into their business model and restructuring their businesses to become more environment-conscious. This is not only helping them augment their brand image in the eyes of the increasingly Eco-conscious consumers but also netting real-time monitory benefits. Where do Indian retailers stand with regards to adopting responsible retailing practices? Who are the early adopters? How are they benefiting ? All this and more in this Anniversary Special..

We live in a Volatile, Unpredictable, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) world. Everything around us is changing at break-neck speed. As we move into the future, things will get even more complex and unpredictable. There only one asset other than technology that will help businesses navigate the future - people. Building a future-ready organisation also requires four other imperatives. All this and more in this issue. Dive right in...

The Digital India Programme aims to digitally empower citizens through broadband highways connecting all corners of the country by 2019. Thanks to the Digital India programme, and evolution in digital technology, the retail landscape of the country will be transformed, opening up interesting possibilities as well as challenges for retailers. The change is already underway, with leaders of retail having to rise up to the challenge of reimagining their businesses to survive the digital tsunami. However, it's easier said than done, especially considering the hype and information overload surrounding Digital Retail. It only makes matters more complex for the already confused retailers. Cutting through the haze, this issue of STOrai gives you the 7 imperatives of Digital Retail that will you understand the demands of digital retail and embrace it. Read on...

Who’s disrupting retail? What are the factors? Is disruption nothing but glorified innovation? What’s the appropriate response to disruption? All this and more in the Disruption Issue. In addition, read the story of Kaaryah, an RAI member and a disruptor in its own right; find out which retail start-ups Ratan Tata has backed and how artificial intelligence is changing the game…Click to dive right in

Modern retail in India is an eclectic and interesting mix of old and new players, home-grown brands alongside international ones. Out of the thousands of retail brands spread across the country, there are some who stand out of the crowd, by their sheer capability to keep up and march on. They have been able to mould themselves to the changing needs of both the consumers and time. This Anniversary issue, we celebrate the spirit of such modern retailers in India; A salute to the 100 retail companies that have managed to survive the tough road and thrive! This is by no means a rating list but an alphabetical compilation. The Hot 100 retail store brands listed in the following pages are here not because of their stellar balance sheets or impressive network of stores, but because of their recall, visibility and popularity among customers.

The regulatory environment in the country is trying to catch up with the rapidly changing business environment. However, there still remain some gaps, which hinder business. The challenges range from laws that are no longer relevant to differences in their interpretation. Business and legal heads from top business organisations speak about the issues they face suggesting what can be done to overcome them. An understanding of these is crucial to achieving ease of doing business today. The issue has this and lots more on analytics, omni-channel and customer engagement.

he rapidly changing business environment is compelling businesses to transform themselves inside-out. Increasingly, the thrust is on getting the best people and then getting the best out of people. Identifying and nurturing talent has become key. Consequently, the HR has to move playing a transactional role to playing a transformational one. In this issue we have invited the top HR heads of renowned retail organisations to share strategies for mining human potential to create great organisations. In addition, the issue is packed with thought-provoking articles and discussions around current topics such as Maharashtra Retail Trade Policy, E-commerce and the Noodles controversy.

Digital has changed our lives and disrupted businesses. And it continues to change every aspect of retailing from procurement, stock-keeping to movement of goods, marketing and payment. It’s important that retailers understand how digital is changing shopper behaviour and preferences. But it’s imperative for them to use digital means to conduct business both internally and externally. Retailing is no more what it used to be. Therefore, the old rules of the game no longer apply. Click here to learn the new rules that apply…

Consumers are not just driving the transformation that is sweeping retail, but also are participating in it through Crowdsourcing — a concept that is changing the dynamics of the relationship between businesses and the public. Crowdsourcing is redefining several areas of retail – funding, marketing and logistics, giving a new meaning to the phrase ‘public-private partnership’. Is it just a passing trend or a new paradigm? Read on to find out…

In the next five years, everything from technology, customers, expectations, life-style, social environment — will be different. Needless to say, retailers that are prepared today will reap huge benefits. This issue of STOrai is designed to help retailers understand the trends and the demands of retailing In 2020. The survival guide contains practical, no-nonsense advice from retail stalwarts who’ve managed to always pre-empt change and stay ahead of the pack. Though it is branded as a survival guide – the tips will help retailers thrive, not just survive. Read on to discover what else the issue has in store…

This is STOrai in its new avatar. And it is packed with interesting and insightful features. From a curated listing of vendors to help your business, profiles of national and international achievers, expert interviews to strategies of the industry’s top CEOs – this cart is loaded with relevant information. The cover story brings to you the immense potential airports hold for retail. To know what’s more in the new STOrai…read the full issue

Technology is more than an enabler: It’s the tool that could help you be a game changer. But how well are Indian retailers using it to their advantage? Are they using it to its full potential? The issue focuses on technology in retail, giving an in-depth and accurate picture of the rate of technology adoption among retailers. Also in the issue: Fashionandyou.com’s turnaround story; mall supply trends for the year; Ingredients of a good loyalty programme and much more.

This issue focuses on the 10 best retail workplaces for 2014, based on a study undertaken by RAI with The Great Place to Work Institute. Other interesting features include: Top Trends that will impact retail; E-commerce Benchmarks of Indian Department Stores; a summary of statistics relating to the retail sector outlook in India and much more.

Today, people buy the experience of purchasing a product or a service as much as they buy the product itself. Experience involves everything from technology, lighting, ambience and service to the UI-UX on the website or app. Consistent, delightful experiences are the definite ways to capturing mindshare as well as market-share. The Experience Special issue aims to address all the areas in the purview of Customer Experience, giving retailers insight into what will drive customer-experience going forward, how will it get redefined, what makes shopping pleasurable, and more.

Often, some of the best things in life come out of the most difficult challenges. Bad times tend to bring out the best in people. Like Louise Philippe once said, “When darkness is at its darkest, a star shines the brightest.” In this ‘Resilience Special’ issue, we bring you stories of several such stars in retail—brands that have shone exemplary resilience and adaptability in the face of crisis. Download the issue to read about the inspirational stories about resilient Indian retail.