
MMR 2025:
Theme: The New HR Playbook for Retail: Talent & Transformation
The retail industry is undergoing a profound transformation, shaped by technological advancement, evolving consumer behavior, and new business models such as quick commerce, omnichannel retail, and AI-driven operations. In this fast-changing landscape, the role of Human Resources is
"The New HR Playbook for Retail: Talent & Transformation" reflects a forward-looking approach to managing and empowering the retail workforce. This theme recognizes that traditional HR practices must evolve to meet the demands of a more agile, tech-enabled, and purpose-driven work environment.
It calls for reimagining talent strategies—from attracting and retaining the next generation of retail professionals to skilling for future-readiness and fostering inclusive, resilient cultures. HR leaders are now strategic partners driving business transformation, aligning people and productivity, and embedding digital capabilities into the workforce DNA.
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.

350+ Delegates

50+ Speakers

160+ Retail Companies

15+ Partners
Event Design
KEYNOTE
EXPERIENCE ZONES
ROUNDTABLES
STANDALONE ADDRESS
PANEL DISCUSSION
RETAIL HR-AWARDS
Panel Topics and Discussion
Skilling for an AI-Enabled Future
The Emergence of Quick Commerce and Its Implications on HR
HR as a Strategic Partner: Aligning People and Productivity
Performance, Pay and Progress: Rethinking Rewards in Modern Retail
Event Venue
When:
JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar
When:
25 September, 2025
Speakers 2024

Abhimanyu Sharma
Head - HR,
Natures Basket

Adhir Mane
CHRO - Corporate,
Raymond Ltd.

Ameesha Prabhu
CEO & Co-Founder,
Trust for Retailers & Retail Associates of India

Amrita Biswas
Head - People & Culture,
Timezone Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

Amrita Chowdhury
VP & Head - HR,
Kaya Ltd.

Aniruddha Mahajan
Customer Care Associate & Deputy VP – HR,
Shoppers Stop Ltd.

Anjali Goel
Head - HR,
V-Mart Retail Ltd.

Ankur Shukla
Head - HR, Grocery Store Operations,
Reliance Retail

Ashwin Khasgiwala
COO, Reliance Retail,
& Director Reliance Brands Ltd.

Asim Jagdale
CHRO,
Arvind Fashions

B. Venkataramana
Former Group President - HR,
Landmark India

Balbir Singh
CEO,
Great Place To Work India

Bidhisha Banerjee
Group HR Central Services, CLO & DEI Head,
Welspun Group

Bidyut Bhanjdeo
Chief Business Officer,
Ethnix by Raymond

Bijou Kurien
Chairman,
Retailers Association of India

Binny Ashish
Head – HR,
Celio Retail Pvt. Ltd.

Chakrapani Sharma
Deputy General Manager - HR,
Lifestyle International Pvt. Ltd.

Chitra D. Ram
Director HR, Pizza Hut (North & South Asia),
Yum Restaurants International

Debarati Dutta
Head TA,
Vedant Fashions Ltd. - Manyavar-Mohey

Deepali Bhardwaj
CHRO - Business Growth Partner,
IHG Hotels & Resorts (InterContinental Hotels Group)

Deepali Mathur
Chief Manager - People,
Spykar Lifestyles Pvt. Ltd.

Dhruva Dubey
CHRO,
Vishal Mega Mart Ltd.

Dr. Lawrence Fernandes
Director - Retail Learning & Membership,
Retailers Association of India

Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Chauhan
Director - HR,
Pepe Jeans India Ltd.

Dr. Venu Murthy
CTO,
Aparajitha Corporate Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Farzeen Khan
CHRO,
Four Aces Fashion House Pvt. Ltd. (Being Human Clothing)

G.R. Venkatesh
CHRO,
Reliance Retail Ltd.

Harsh Aparanji
President & CHRO,
Landmark Group

Hiral Vyas
Head - HR,
Reliance Brands Ltd. - Hamleys

Jaikrishna B
President & Group CHRO,
Amara Raja Group

Jeeva Balakrishnan
Chief Talent Officer,
Reliance Retail

Kumar Rajagopalan
CEO,
Retailers Association of India

Mandavi Singh
Customer Care Associate & AVP - DIT Digital & Information Technology,
Shoppers Stop Ltd.

Meenu Bhatia
Co-Founder,
VMentor.ai & YUGMA.ai

Mukta Nakra
Head - People & Sustainability,
Marks and Spencer Reliance India Pvt. Ltd.

Mukul Sirohi
Associate Director, Business Development & Growth,
OnGrid & eLockr

Nabamita Banerjee
Director – Partner Resources (HR),
Tata Starbucks

Nandini Mehta
CHRO,
Metro Brands Ltd.

Nirav Jagad
Chief People Officer,
SUGAR Cosmetics

Noopur Borwankar
Head HR - West,
Titan Ltd.

Parineeta Cecil Lakra
Country People & Culture Manager,
IKEA India

Prashant Bhokil
Group CTO & CISO,
Finquest Group of Companies

Priya M Pillai
Head People Function - Retail, Corporate and Manufacturing,
Titan Company Ltd.

Puja Pradhan
Head - Learning & Talent Management,
Nexus Select Malls

Rahul Jain
Head - HRBP,
bigbasket

Rajesh Kadam
CEO,
Inc.5 Shoes Pvt. Ltd.

Ramakrishnan K R
Lead - Branding, Wellbeing and Culture,
Reliance Retail Ltd.

Ramandeep Singh
Head - HR, Electronics,
Reliance Retail

Robin Sharma
Head - HRBP,
Croma

Rohith Kumar
CHRO,
Westlife Foodworld (McDonalds India West & South)

Saba Adil
CHRO,
Edelweiss Tokio Life Insurance

Saksham Gandhi
Business Head - Retail & BPO Practice,
APNA

Shivshankar SV
Head - HR,
Standard Charter Bank

Shweta Gambhir
People Director,
Smollan India Pvt. Ltd.

Tanuja Tewari
Head - HR,
bigbasket

Varadharaju Janardhanan
VP - HR,
Flipkart

Yogesh Somani
AVP & Head - HR,
MR DIY India