Bridging the Gap Between Technology and Human Values in the Retail Sector; RAI Presents the First ‘Retail HR Tech Summit’

Mumbai, February 7, 2024: In an age characterised by swift technological progress and evolving client expectations, the retail sector finds itself at the nexus of innovation and human connection. On February 6, 2024, the Retailers Association of India organised the inaugural ‘Retail HR Tech Summit’ in Mumbai. This summit has been meticulously designed to offer a platform for Retail HR Leaders, providing them the prospect to handle trade challenges and capitalise on rising alternatives.

Speaking about the theme of the Retail HR Tech Summit, Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India, mentioned, “At the forefront of the Retail HR Tech Summit, our purpose is to light up how know-how can revolutionise HR practices inside the retail sector. This inaugural occasion is not only a convention; it’s a vital step in direction of understanding and harnessing know-how to boost recruitment processes, foster worker growth, and domesticate a optimistic organizational tradition. We are devoted to exploring revolutionary options that empower HR professionals to construct extra environment friendly, people-centric, and culturally wealthy environments in their firms. This summit is a pivotal level for trade leaders to collaborate, be taught, and form the way forward for retail HR by means of know-how.”

The summit’s spotlight was the keynote tackle by R. Swaminathan, Chief People Officer, WNS. During the tackle, he expressed, “Technology is not merely a software, however an energetic participant in our office, facilitating complicated selections and shaping enterprise outcomes. We are at a juncture the place the synergy between know-how and human intelligence is essential for creating sustainable and partaking experiences for our clients and staff. The first Retail HR Tech Summit is a testomony to the evolving panorama the place HR is harnessing know-how’s huge potential to drive organizational progress and success.”

The day lengthy summit had numerous panel dialogue with HR leaders deliberating on some important dialogue akin to ‘The Art and Science of Selecting the Right HR Tech Solutions and Enablement Partners’, ‘Enhancing Retail Performance: Unleashing the energy of HR analytics for group Profitability’, ‘Upskilling and Reskilling in Retail: HR Tech for Continuous Learning’, ‘Nurturing Tech-Savvy HR Leadership: Strategies for Developing HR Executives in the Digital Era,’’ Nurturing Tech-Savvy HR Leadership: Strategies for Developing HR Executives in the Digital Era’, amongst others.

“The Retail HR Tech Summit is a beacon for innovation in HR know-how. As a number one tech options supplier, Apnatime Tech is proud to contribute to this transformative journey. We imagine that the proper know-how can revolutionize the retail sector, making it extra environment friendly, inclusive, and attuned to the wants of the trendy workforce. Our aim is to develop options that not solely tackle the fast challenges but additionally pave the means for a extra dynamic and adaptive retail atmosphere,” mentioned Nirmit Parikh, CEO, Apnatime Tech.

Retail HR leaders talking at the summit included, Adhir Mane, CHRO – Corporate, Raymond; Harsh Aparanji, Chief HR Officer, Landmark Group, India; Raghvendra D Singh, Vice President – HR Platforms & Systems, Reliance Retail; Anjali Goel, Head HR, V-Mart Retail; Santosh Vuppala, Head – Analytics and Insights, Titan Company; Venkat Iyer, Head- People & Organisation (Retail), Puma Sports India; Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Chauhan, Director – HR, Pepe Jeans India; Parineeta Cecil Lakra, Country People & Culture Manager, IKEA India; Rohith Kumar, CHRO, Westlife Foodworld (McDonalds India – West & South); amongst others.

The summit commenced with recognition of digital milestones in the retail sector with the first version of the ‘Retail HR Tech Awards 2024’. Championing the success included VMart, Metro Brands, IKEA India, Reliance Retail, Celio, Shoppers Stop, Spykar, 24Seven and Westlife to call just a few.