KSA Retail Summit 2005: 'Think Opportunity' as mantra for success

Company release, February 23, 2005

New Delhi

The much-awaited 7th KSA Retail Summit 2005 which focuses on 'Delighting the Consumer Profitably' this yeargot off to a rousing start with over 400 delegates, from organisations spanning the entire gamut of India's retail industry, participating in the workshops conducted by leading Indian and international experts.

The workshops threw up interesting insights about identifying key global and Indian consumer buying trends and retailing, with case studies of various brands and retailers in the developed as well as developing markets.

Successful retailers will have to tap the "Think Opportunity" to achieve growth in the burgeoning Rs. 54,000 crore market in the country's small, medium, and large towns for real estate developers, national brand retailers, food service concepts, and value retailers.

"Private labeling in India has a turnover of over Rs.650-700 crores currently and will see a significant increase in the coming years as the penetration of manufactured brands is still not high in India," said Mr. Harminder Sahni, Principal & Associate Director, KSA Technopak India, in an interactive session on 'Private Label Program Development and Management for Competitive Advantage'

"History shows that retailers with effective retail specific IT, matched with clearly defined business processes are able to sustain profitable growth & longevity", said Mr. David Boden, Retek, USA.

In a well-attended session, Mr. Hemu Javeri, President, Madura Garments, said "There is a rapid series of change in the retail environment and the Indian consumer is caught in the winds of change. The driving force in this scenario is the evolving middle class and an emerging globally confident Indian".

With the retail revolution sweeping through India, the consumer is being exposed to a new kind of shopping experience and services. Mr. Yogesh Samat, Chief Executive, Inorbit Malls, India, in his presentation predicted the coming up of 200 more malls by 2006 throughout India.

Mr. Aloke Banerjee, Head Domestic Business, Bombay Dyeing & Manufacturing Co. Ltd. India, in a thought provoking session, elucidated on the importance of product innovation and differentiation to build retail brands. Mr. Krish Iyer, CEO, Retail Business Group, Piramal Enterprises, did some serious number crunching to highlight the key performance metrics that matter.

One of the major highlights of the 7th KSA Retail Summit is the debut of the ICICI Retail Excellence Awards. The award evening scheduled for February 24 will recognise and honour excellence in various aspects of retail business and operations in India. An Exhibition–The Shop from February 23 – 25, will showcase the Retail Industry in the Indian sub-continent with its wide range of products and services.

About KSA Technopak

KSA Technopak is the Indian subsidiary of Kurt Salmon Associates, a 70-year-old global Management Consulting firm offering integrated strategy, process and technology deployment solutions. With 24 offices and over 1,000 consultants worldwide, KSA has vast knowledge and experience of different market environments. In 1992, Arvind Singhal started Technopak as a management consultancy, which entered into a 50:50 joint venture with KSA in 1996.

The consultancy maintains its intellectual leadership through initiatives like the annual Consumer Outlook, a pioneering study of consumer trends in the country and the KSA Retail Summit, India's first and foremost forum for retailers and brand managers to exchange ideas and collectively define the vision for retailing in India. From Concept to Customer, KSA Technopak serves the largest and the best consumer products and service companies in improving performance along the entire value chain.

For further information contact:

Anjali- 9891989846

Palin- 9891294941

Armana- 9811888835

Sarabjeet –9811674550

Monika- 9811784695