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As we get set to welcome 2020, it is the time to acknowledge the glorious years which have led to the formation of a golden decade in the Indian retail industry. Each year of this decade contributed to the growth of the retail industry in myriad ways – be it disruption through technology, the coming of age of circularity or the maturing of the concept of experiential retail.
The year 2019 has been no different in terms of contribution. It can be rated as the ‘Year of Trends’ as it witnessed major developments across all industries and verticals. Technology continued to change the rules of the game successfully, despite new and tougher challenges.
Experiential and Multichannel retail, Artificial Intelligence, Augmented and Virtual Reality all emerged winners, raising the bar from the previously implemented tools like Bots, Cloud, Data, Magic Mirrors and Beacons. This was the year when the experience economy boomed, and customers chose to invest in experiences rather than products, flocking to retailers who offered the best in technology, events and activities.
The final edition of the year 2019, the December issue of IMAGES Retail brings its readers a case study of East India and how it is harnessing insights into technology, innovation and consumer engagement to become the next hot retail market in India. The cover story describes the state of transition of this market, how it is witnessing a series of investment and development in retail infrastructure and real estate. The issue also includes research on global consumer trends for the year – an insight into consumers’ changing values and how their behaviour is disrupting the business of retail globally. There is also a forecast 2020 – a look at how technology and sustainability will drive Indian retail in the coming years.
We look forward to seeing you at our flagship event, the 20th Edition of India Fashion Forum at Hotel Conrad, Bengaluru on December 17-18, 2019. We also welcome 2020 and the hope that it brings in the form of new concepts, technologies and innovations for the retail industry globally and India.
