Omnichannel, Innovation and Authenticity to Shape the Future of India’s Food
Retail
Day 1 of India Food Forum 2025 offered a blueprint for how India eats, shops, and connects in a
new era of growth
Mumbai, November 11, 2025: India’s food and grocery ecosystem is undergoing a profound
shift, driven by changing consumer expectations, new discovery patterns, and the growing
importance of emotional connection and authenticity in brand building. These insights emerged
on Day 1 of the India Food Forum 2025, organised by IMAGES Group, which brought together
influential leaders from the food, grocery, and HoReCa industries to explore opportunities
shaping the future of India’s food story.
Opening the event, Nikhil Behl, CEO – Food, IMAGES Group, reflected on how traditional
marketing and retail models are being redefined. “The old industry playbook no longer works.
Social reach is unpredictable, search traffic is declining, and consumers are discovering brands
in entirely new ways. As India’s most influential leaders in food, grocery, and HoReCa gather at
the India Food Forum 2025, the focus is not only on what’s next but on what truly matters now
— connection, collaboration, and a shared belief that purpose powered by emotion drives
lasting growth,” he said in his welcome address.
The day’s sessions explored how brands and retailers are responding to changing consumer
behaviour, the evolution of omnichannel strategies, and the rise of authenticity as a new
business currency. Kishore Kumar, Head of Ads & Brand Intelligence, BigBasket, presented a
detailed analysis of consumption trends and shopping behaviour in the quick commerce era.
He noted that rapid delivery has fundamentally altered consumer routines, with weekend
orders now outpacing weekday consumption and distinct peaks between 8 to 11 a.m. on
weekends and 5 to 9 p.m. on weekdays. “Consumers are moving from bulk buying to smaller,
on-the-go packs, reflecting their desire for immediacy and convenience,” he explained, adding
that the power of search and intent-driven discovery is becoming a crucial space for brands to
win attention and trust.
Speaking on how retailers must adapt to changing shopper preferences, Damodar Mall, CEO,
Grocery – Reliance Retail, drew an analogy between consumer faith and retail channels. “It’s
not about choosing between the neighbourhood store, the quick delivery, or the destination
format. The real opportunity lies in being the provider of the blessing — being available in every
channel the consumer prefers,” he said. Mall emphasised that the future of retail is not defined
by channels but by relevance. “The same household that shops in-store and online with us buys
34% more. The goal isn’t to chase loyalty but to stay present each time the customer decides to
buy,” he added.
Authenticity and brand trust were recurring themes across sessions. Desmond Nikhil D’Souza,
VP – Customer & Commercial Leadership, Coca-Cola, observed that the key to enduring
relevance lies in staying true to a brand’s core while evolving its expression. “Disruption is
global. The only way to build long-term loyalty is through authenticity. Coca-Cola’s strength lies
in remaining relatable across generations – whether through cricket, meals, or music. The
product stays the same, but the language keeps evolving with the consumer,” he said.
Prashant Peres, Managing Director – South Asia, Kellanova, spoke about consistency and
transparency as the foundation of trust. “Brand trust is built on foot but can gallop away on
horseback. We take fresh guard every day to ensure consumers never take us for granted,” he
said. Highlighting the company’s long-standing focus on transparency, he added, “We were
among the first to display nutritional information upfront. Consumers today expect honesty,
clarity, and presence – both in communication and on the shelf.”
From a broader industry perspective, Rajneet Kohli, Executive Director – Foods, Hindustan
Unilever, outlined how HUL balances scale with inclusion through its four guiding pillars of
quality, consumer focus, innovation, and purpose. “India is a continent, not a country. We cater
to multiple Indias – from premium consumers to value seekers – by offering price points and
innovations that meet every need. Convenience, relevance, and innovation are key. Our
responsibility is to serve every evolving segment of the Indian consumer,” he noted.
Culinary Icon, Humanitarian and Entrepreneur, Padma Shri Chef Sanjeev Kapoor brought a
human and emotional dimension to the day’s discussions, reminding industry leaders that
success in food is built as much on values as on vision. “Hard work, discipline, quality, humility,
and honesty are timeless virtues that create a compounding effect. Authenticity is not just
about recipes but about relationships – with customers, teams, and partners. Staying true to
that promise is what keeps a brand relevant,” he said.
Rohit Kapoor, CEO – Food Marketplace, Swiggy, who spoke about how technology and cultural
exchange are shaping modern food choices. Drawing from Swiggy’s vast consumer data across
700 towns, he said, “India is digitally equal but financially unequal. Consumers everywhere
watch the same trends online, but their spending power and cultural readiness vary.” He
highlighted how social media has blurred regional boundaries in food culture, citing examples
like modaks being sold in Kolkata and Sadhya meals gaining popularity in Gurgaon. “Regional
food is no longer regional – it’s a shared experience across India,” he said.
The discussions at India Food Forum 2025 reflected a shared optimism about India’s evolving
food and grocery landscape. As brands, retailers, and innovators embrace new consumer
realities, the consensus was clear – the future of India’s food industry will be defined by
omnichannel presence, innovation at scale, and an unwavering commitment to authenticity.
About India Food Forum:
India Food Forum was formed in 2008 with the support of the Ministry of Food Processing
Industries (MoFPI) with a clear goal of creating a platform that brings together all stakeholders
of the food retail and food service ecosystem to learn from one another and grow collectively.
Over the years, it has evolved into India’s most influential food B2B intelligence event, where
attendees discover knowledge, connections, ideas, inspiration, and new products.
About IMAGES Group:
IMAGES Group is the biggest retail intelligence association in South Asia and the Middle East,
whose numerous items and administrations work as impetus for the productive development
of present-day retail through information stage initiative. The Group’s knowledge platforms
incorporate print and online reportage, research review, and significant yearly business
occasions with Conferences, Master-Classes and Workshops serving multiple
verticals/fragments/tasks of retail.