Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 26: The 19th edition of the Manning Modern Retail (MMR) 2025 HR Conclave, hosted by the Retailers Association of India (RAI), successfully took place on September 25, 2025 at JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar. This highly anticipated gathering brought together an impressive roster of CEOs, CPOs/CHROs, academic experts, and industry thought leaders to explore the theme: The New HR Playbook for Retail: Talent & Transformation.
The retail industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by technological innovations, shifting consumer behavior, and emerging models such as quick commerce, omnichannel retail, and AI-powered operations.
The theme highlights the need for traditional HR practices to evolve in line with a more agile, tech-enabled, and purpose-driven workplace. It emphasizes reimagining talent strategies—from engaging and retaining the next generation of retail professionals to building future-ready skills and nurturing inclusive, resilient cultures. Today, HR leaders are strategic partners in driving business transformation, aligning people with performance, and embedding digital capabilities at the core of the workforce.
This year’s Manning Modern Retail will spotlight how retail HR can rewrite its playbook to lead the change, build competitive advantage through people, and shape the future of work in retail.
Speaking about MMR 2025, Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India (RAI), said, “As the industry transforms, HR must evolve from managing processes to shaping culture, building skills, and driving purpose. Manning Modern Retail 2025 is about reimagining how we attract and retain talent, reward performance, and prepare our workforce for the future. The new HR playbook isn’t just about policies; it’s about empowering people to become the strongest driver of retail’s growth story.”
Offering insights into the HR retail outlook, Udhaya Shankar, VP – HR, Metro Brands Ltd., said, “The future of retail HR is about creating workplaces that adapt as quickly as consumers do. From upskilling frontline teams to designing inclusive cultures, HR leaders must place people at the heart of transformation while ensuring they are equipped to thrive in a digital-first, purpose-driven retail world.”
Sabharatnam N, Head-Retail Training, Titan Company Ltd., expressed, “The true transformation in HR is not measured by the tools we digitize, but by the lives we humanize. In retail, it’s about creating a culture where people are trusted to take bold steps, learn from setbacks, and grow stronger with every attempt—because that’s how tomorrow’s leaders are shaped.”
Robin Sharma Head – HRBP, Croma (Infiniti Retail Ltd.), added, “Retail HR is moving from transactional processes to transformative partnerships. The focus now is on nurturing resilience, emotional intelligence, and adaptability in people so they can thrive in environments where technology and consumer expectations change faster than ever.”
Other Notable speakers at MMR 2025 included leading HR and retail leaders such as Darshan Thakkar, VP – Retail HR Head, Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands Ltd.; Haneesh Mohan Nambiar, Head – HR, Apollo Pharmacy; Harsh Aparanji, CHRO, Landmark Group; Manashi Kumar, HR Head – Beauty E-commerce & Retail, FSN Brands Marketing Pvt. Ltd. (Nykaa); Mukta Nakra, Head – People, Marks & Spencer Reliance India Pvt. Ltd.; and Vinaya Rai, Market Area and Business People & Culture Partner, IKEA India. They were joined by other distinguished industry experts including Adhir Mane, CHRO – Corporate, Raymond Limited; Aditya Narayan Mishra, MD & CEO, CIEL HR Services Ltd.; Nirav Jagad, Chief People Officer, SUGAR Cosmetics; Rohith Kumar, CHRO, Arvind Fashions Limited; and Sandhydeep Purri, People Leader – HR Transformation, Westlife Foodworld (McDonald’s), among many more.
The Manning Modern Retail (MMR) HR Conclave has firmly established itself as the leading platform for tackling the most critical issues in retail HR. With its continued emphasis on driving forward-thinking discussions, MMR has become an indispensable gathering for retail HR professionals. It serves as a key venue for collaboration, exchanging insights, and developing strategies to foster sustainable growth in a dynamic industry landscape.
About RAI:
Retailers Association of India (RAI) serves as the unified voice of Indian retailers, working collaboratively with stakeholders to foster the growth of the modern retail industry. RAI actively engages with all levels of government to support employment, promote retail investments, enhance consumer choice, and strengthen industry competitiveness nationwide.
Visit: www.rai.net.in | Follow on Twitter: @rai_india
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