Showcasing an eclectic mix of designs based on theatrical themes and patterning clothes on the fluidity of dance moves to create a dynamic look, Kerela based designer Joe Ikareth in an interview speaks of his designs, influences and his current project.  

Jasmeet Sahi (JS): When did you launch your first store? What have been your guiding influences?

The retail identity of Tanishq has evolved over the years to offer large format and concept stores that reflect the brand’s philosophy of being a ‘Revitaliser of Tradition’. V Govindraj, Vice President Integrated Retail service, Titan, enlightens about the latest offers at Tanishq.

Jasmeet Sahi (JS): Are their any special offers at Tanishq this Diwali?

Right from SCM, storage, sales and after-sales processes, IT solutions are taking over the conventional mode of management, storage, tracking and sales. Kumar Vembu, CEO GoFrugal Technologies Pvt. Ltd speaks about the importance of IT solutions for retail. 

Jasmeet Sahi (JS): How crucial are IT solutions for retailers, in your opinion?

Investment in retail design never goes wrong as it adds to the brand experience. Manu Neelakandhan, Design Director,  Idiom Design & Consulting Ltd speaks to us about the importance of retail design. 

Jasmeet Sahi (JS): Idiom is a design firm with varied design skills under one roof. Could you elaborate a little bit on what these varied design skills are?

Established in the year 1912, MCC (Mahatta Camera Corporation) introduced colour photo technology to India. MCC products are sold from more than 30,000 retailers through a network of over 100 distributors across India. Ajay Mehta, CEO, MCC speaks to us about the journey of MCC and its future ventures.

Jasmeet Sahi (JS): MCC Group has been in India since 1912. Can you give us an over view of the journey of MCC in India.

Conducting and sharing researches for the benefit of the retailing sector by market research agencies is proving beneficial to many retailers. Karthik Nagarajan, Associate Director – Nielsen Online, The Nielsen Company, throws light on a few of the researches by The Nielsen Company.

Jasmeet Sahi (JS): In a recent survey, India was ranked No.1 on Consumer Confidence. What criteria do you follow to conduct a survey of this kind?

With the upcoming of INOX, watching movies is not just pleasurable to our eyes but also to our other four senses. This is because INOX has taken movie viewing experience to a new level. Alok Tandon, CEO, INOX Leisure Ltd speaks on how we can ‘live the movie’. 

Jasmeet Sahi (JS): When did INOX Leisure Ltd come into being? 

Retail in India stands at an interesting crossroad, with the ghost of the meltdown now a mere spectre of the past and the future a welcoming avenue propelling India as a favoured retail destination. Well-known retail expert and Co-Founder and Director, Forum Synergies, Hemchandra Javeri, shares his vision of the retailing scenario in India. 

Jasmeet Sahi (JS): Since when have you been a part of Forum Synergies? Tell us something about your journey in retail so far.

Having worked with various organisations in their start up phase, Deepanshu Khurana, CEO, i360 has a pulse on business development, franchise acquisition and operations management. Seen as a good visionary, his detailing and execution skills have taken i360 to a new orbit. 

Jasmeet Sahi (JS): What was the inspiration behind opening a staffing and training solutions company?

Right from his early years when he was a day boarder in Dr. Graham’s School Darjeeling, Jay Gupta revealed a fine business sense that showed his adamant goal to start his own company. He conceptualised and set up the first THE LOOT store in mid 2004 - A multi brand discount store.

Jasmeet Sahi (JS): How did the concept of a store like ‘The Loot’ take birth? What is the significance of the name The Loot?

Touted as the new-age marketing tool for modern organised retail, loyalty programs are fast-becoming a retailer’s ruse for befriending more and more customers. Neeraj Kapoor, CMO, i-Mint, India’s largest multi-partner customer rewards program speaks about the various marketing and brand communication activities within i-mint.  

Jasmeet Sahi (JS): There is a lot of talk about customer loyalty and customer delight. How does a portal like i-mint cater to this growing trend? 

Every one wants to be trendy, fashionable and in-sync. Catering to the fashion needs of the youth, Globus has scored high as a popular fashion apparel retailer. Mridumesh Rai, Head Customer Experience & Sales (West & Central), Globus shares his vision on what Globus is all about. 

Jasmeet Sahi (JS): Customer is king today. Would you agree?
Mridumesh Rai (MR): That is an old school of thought. As per my new understanding, the customer is your WIFE. This is an analogy that I use, to train my sales staff. Some of its interpretations are:

Hand in hand with the most sought after designers of the subcontinent, the clientele of Kimaya reads like a never-ending list of the coolest cats in Bollywood such as Kareena Kapoor, Sushmita Sen, Katrina Kaif, Rekha and many more. Pradeep Hirani, Chairman, Kimaya Fashion Pvt. Ltd speaks about how he is redefining and setting new standards of excellence and innovation in retailing high-fashion designer couture in India.  

Jasmeet Sahi (JS): What encouraged you to enter into fashion retailing in India?

With lives getting busier, time for leisure seems to be evaporating for most of us. 99labels, an online shopping portal comes to the rescue with shopping just a click away. Ishita Swarup, Founding member and CEO, 99labels enlightens us on this venture. 

Jasmeet Sahi (JS): Tell us something about the inception of 99labels? When did you come up with the idea of starting this online portal?

A host of footwear retailers in the market today offer the customers a range of shoes making them quite spoilt for choice. In a conversation with Rafiq Malik, MD, Metro Shoes, who enlightens us with the uniqueness of Metro Shoes. 

Jasmeet Sahi (JS): How did Metro Shoes come into origin? 
Rafiq Malik (RM): It started with my father who was working in a shoe shop at Grant Road. In the 1950s we started our first store at Colaba Causeway. I joined the business in 1969 when we opened another store near Regal Cinema.  

Gold attracts all, and with the wedding season here, shoppers are going all-out on buying jewellery. Rising gold prices seem to be the last deterrent. Santosh Srivastava, MD, Gitanjali Jewellery Retail Private Limited shares his insights on jewellery retailing. 

Jasmeet Sahi (JS): Gold prices are at an all time high. How does this affect the jewellery retail?

Highly acclaimed buying and merchandising expert globally with over 30 years of in-depth retail experience; specialising in merchandising assortment audits, brand and private label concepts and creation, Marie-Louise Jacobsen, Retail Consultant and Managing Director of Retail Management Solutions [RMS] (Singapore) in an interview, speaks of her journey in retail and India as a future retail destination.

Jasmeet Sahi (JS): A lot is being spoken about ‘efficient retailing’ these days. What is efficient retailing in your opinion?