IAA Knowledge Seminar on Future of Retail Marketing

The India chapter of the International Advertising Association hosted a Knowledge Seminar on Saturday, December 20, 2014 to discuss the future of retail marketing. Top marketing and advertising experts was in attendance to deliberate on the topic.

The event was held at Le Meridien hotel in Bengaluru.

The IAA Knowledge Seminar was inaugurated by Mr Ramesh Aravind, popular film actor, writer, director, producer and TV host.

“India’s retail sector 15% of the country’s GDP. It gives employment to 4.43% of the population. The IAA Knowedge Seminar brought to the fore several issues concerning the sector as also the tradition brick-and-mortar stores will co-exist with the e-tailing revolution,” said Srinivasan K Swamy, President, IAA India Chapter & Vice President-Development, Asia Pacific.

Noted actor and director Mr Ramesh Aravind who was Chief Guest at the seminar said while making his inaugural remarks: “Right since childhood. we have been used to the unorganised retail and the online 1 billion dollar sale left me amazed. I also ended up becoming a part of the online revolution when I bought a pair of shoes which I didn’t really need,” he said adding: “Ever since I was a child , my parents , teachers and others kept telling me that the future is in your hands. I now realise that the future is indeed in my hands in the form of the mobile phone as we have starting using the phone for e-commerce transactions, banking and more.”

The first speaker among the retail experts was Mr Damodar Mall, CEO, Grocery Retail, Reliance Retail Limited. “Modernity in retail trade and the self service format are fuelling demand for better retail systems.  Organised retail surrounds the woman consumer with products without pre-judging or any opinion.. it lets her make the choice,” Mr Mall said.

Ms Charulata Ravi Kumar, CEO, Razorfish India said that digital marketing and technology alone can’t transform businesses. “Innovations are key to success of marketing,” she said.

Mr Sundeep Nagpal, CEO , Stratagem Media said consumer choices and preferences have taken over the media. “Be it print , television , outdoor or radio , every medium will have to convert to digital.  In-store sales influenced by internet has doubled in the last six years in US markets. “

Next up was Ms Meera Harish, former VP , Titan industries. “The transition of the Indian consumer in the retail story is visible,” she said.

The last speaker of the evening was Mr Sandeep Tarkas, President, Customer Services, Future Group. “Malls will stay as they are also a destination for evening outings with the family,” he said, adding: “They are places for social interactions.”

"We, at Vijayavani, were overwhelmed with the response we received to the seminar which provided great learning to all those keen on understanding the Retail scenario in the country," said Mr Anand Sankeshwar, MD, VRL Media Ltd and Chairperson of the event.