In this issue

The Novel Coronavirus outbreak has hastened the transformation of the global retail industry like never before. COVID-19 has led to a shutdown of retail worldwide, proving to be one of the biggest disruptors the industry has ever seen, catapulting the sector into adopting new technologies.
With a phased re-opening being set into motion in the fourth phase of the lockdown, the Indian Retail Industry is gearing up to adopt new technology, innovative ideas and social distancing measures. With the help of technology, which erstwhile served the purpose of convenience, the retailers are opting for ‘No Contact Commerce’ as the new medium to welcome back consumers and allay the fear of contracting the disease.
The June 2020 e-issue of IMAGES Retail brings to its readers what brands and retailers are doing to welcome back consumers in a safe and hygienic environment – how they are streamlining their products and off erings to adjust to the new ‘no-touch’ normal with the implementation of ‘contactless commerce’.
In this Digital Edition, we bring our readers research, reports, analysis, opinions, roadmaps, recommendations, and solutions from retail experts globally and India.

UNLOCK 1.0: PHASE-WISE OPENING OF RETAIL COMMENCES IN INDIA

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued guidelines for a phased reopening of the economy from June 1, which will include shopping centres, hotels and restaurants outside containment zones…

5 mins

GLOBAL RETAIL REOPENING, RECOVERING & REALIGNING TO A NEW REALITY

While keeping the seriousness of COVID-19 in mind, many governments are cautiously talking about their plans for ‘re-opening’ their economies. Retailers are looking ahead to the new reality of what life might look like after the initial acute phase of this pandemic passes…

5 mins

‘SERVE AT HOME' WILL OPEN NEW BUSINESS AVENUES FOR RETAILERS IN THE POST COVID ERA

In a discussion at the first-ever, pan-India humanitarian campaign organised and hosted by IMAGES Group titled Retail Panchayat, it came to light that ‘serve at home’ could change the dimension of the retail industry in the post-COVID era by opening new business avenues for retailers. Retailers who will be most adaptable to change, who are willing to serve the consumer in his comfort zone – i.e. home – will be best positioned to ride out the immediate challenges…

10+ mins

Ushering in a New Technological Era: Retail Industry Goes Contactless in COVID Times

The consumer psyche has undergone a permanent shift in the COVID era, the fear of exposure to the virus so high that all shoppers – the ones who are shopping from home and the ones who are bravely venturing out – are demanding safety and hygiene. Factor in supply chain uncertainty with consumer nerves and brands and retailers themselves are working towards providing technology solutions towards contactless commerce…

10+ mins

Layoffs, Furloughs & Unemployment as COVID-19 Hits Retail Jobs

The COVID-19 crisis has led to a spike in the country’s unemployment rate from under 7 percent before the start of the pandemic in mid-March to 27.11 percent. The rate of unemployment has been the highest in urban areas – which constitute the most number of red zones – at 29.22 percent, as against 26.69 percent for the rural areas…

10+ mins

The New Normal Consumer in Retail: Adaptation to Change

The new normal for the consumer is ‘safety coupled with shopping experience’. While the safety guidelines are mandatory and the shopping malls are adhering to them to build ‘trust’ as an assurance of ‘safety’, they need to create ‘optimism’ as an assurance of a ‘good shopping experience’ within the constraints of safety guidelines…

2 mins

Read all stories from Images Retail

Images Retail Magazine Description:

Launched in 2003, IMAGES Retail magazine took on the task of analysing the emerging organised retail industry at a time when the industry itself had little data to work on. The magazine covers the gamut of Indian and International movements in retail technology, logistics and supply chain, store formats, store design, retail real estate, franchising and human resource, besides reporting on significant directions within India’s sunrise industry.

The magazine is widely acknowledged India’s leading retail intelligence publication for decades now, providing news, insights, research & analysis, intelligence and data covering retail operations across all Indian markets.

The mission of the monthly B2B magazine – published exclusively for the retail industry – is to bring industry leaders and brand owners up to date with the latest in retail technology & innovations, provide them with in-depth research, studies and analytical, insightful features which help them grow their businesses in India. The magazine aims to spark ideas and shape agendas for decision makers in India’s competitive retail industry.