The partnership will focus on developing practical learning opportunities for students, creating specialised executive education modules, and enabling faculty-industry exchanges. It will also give IIM Sambalpur access to RAI’s wide retail network, helping students engage directly with emerging business models, technologies, and policy conversations shaping India’s $1-trillion retail sector.

Under the MoU, RAI will extend academic membership to IIM Sambalpur, facilitate participation in key industry events such as the Retail Leadership Summit, ReTechCon, and the Retail HR Tech Summit, and co-create short-term certification and executive education programmes. IIM Sambalpur will, in turn, contribute its academic expertise, research insights, and thought leadership to these initiatives.

Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, said, “At IIM Sambalpur, we believe that management education must stay rooted in real-world practice. Our partnership with the Retailers Association of India brings that philosophy to life, combining academic rigour with industry insight. Together, we aim to build the next generation of retail leaders who are innovative, responsible, and ready to navigate a rapidly evolving consumer landscape. This collaboration aligns with our
mission to nurture responsible leaders with an entrepreneurial mindset and reflects our core values of innovation, integrity, and inclusiveness.”

Kumar Rajagopalan, Chief Executive Officer, Retailers Association of India, said, “Retail in India is at a defining moment, growing rapidly, embracing technology, and
creating new formats every day. Through this partnership with IIM Sambalpur, RAI continues its mission to bridge industry and academia, ensuring that future leaders are equipped with the skills, exposure, and mindset needed to shape modern retail. This collaboration is not just about education, but about co-creating pathways that strengthen India’s retail ecosystem and make it future-ready.”

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