PGDM Retail Management Department at JIMS Rohini organised an online Panel Discussion on ‘Retail Industry: Revival and Recovery’ on 22nd December 2020. Coronavirus has dominated headlines for months now, and the impact it has had on businesses across different sectors has been devastating. Along with an unusual human toll, the coronavirus pandemic has triggered a deep economic threat. It has got a huge impact on the physical, psychological and economic behaviours, which might forever change the way people interact, go out, entertain and shop. The crisis caused by the virus is no more a looming threat for retailers but a harsh reality. Mass unemployment, workforce crunch, rents, and uncertain future has worsened the situation. The retailers have been struggling to meet the needs of both their employees and customers which has now become a common scenario in countries across the globe.
As this pandemic has disrupted the lives and livelihood of millions, retailers have been working to understand what changes will be needed once the outbreak subsides. Retailers across the globe are re-assessing their footprints and working towards the strategic decisions for their revival and recovery. It is difficult to predict how the situation will turn out or how consumers will behave in post covid-19 era. But it is certain that retailers will have to form their own strategies to find ways for retrieval.
The eminent personalities from the industry were present in the panel discussion. The panellists of the session were Mr. Savio Nunes, Senior Vice President - Operations, Lifestyle International Pvt. Ltd. (Landmark Group), Ms. Meenal Babbar, Head Diplomatic Sales & Marketing, KTC India Pvt. Ltd., (Ex. Sales Head, Biba and Fabindia); Mr. Naveen Singh, Category Head – Homeware (North Zone), Big Bazaar; and Mr. Gaurav Mahajan, Lead Marketing Analytics – South America, Anheuser-Busch InBev.
The panel discussion covered all the relevant aspects leading to the retail industry towards revival and recovery such as strategies for enhancing / retaining customer base pre-covid, during and post-covid times, operational and financial challenges and the way ahead etc. The discussion was very healthy, interactive and insightful.
The participants in the online panel discussion were corporate, alumni, faculty and PGDM Retail and Marketing students. Towards the end of the panel discussion, the forum was open for Q&A session and the audience participated in it enthusistically. The best two questions from the student participants were rewarded with cash prizes . The discussion closed with the Vote of Thanks by Dr. Deepika Saxena, HOD - PGDM (Retail Management), JIMS.