Business EconomyPosted at: Nov 11 2025 7:25PM


'India Food Forum 2025' kicks off with top industry minds discussing retail trends

New Delhi, Nov 11 (UNI) The India Food Forum 2025, organised by the IMAGES Group, kicked off here on Tuesday with influential leaders from the food, grocery, as well as hotels, restaurants and catering (HoReCa ) industries exploring opportunities shaping the future.
Opening the event, Nikhil Behl, CEO – Food, IMAGES Group, spoke about 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 is connection, collaboration, and a shared belief that purpose powered by emotion drives lasting growth,” Behl said in his welcome address.
The day’s sessions explored how food brands and retailers are responding to changing consumer behaviour, the evolution of omnichannel strategies, and the rise of authenticity as a new business currency. BigBasket's Head of Brand Intelligence Kishore Kumar, presented a detailed analysis of consumption trends and shopping behaviour in the quick commerce era.
Kumar noted that rapid delivery has fundamentally altered consumer routines, with weekend orders now outpacing weekday consumption and distinct peaks between 8 am to 11 am on weekends and 5 pm to 9 pm 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 about how retailers must adapt to changing shopper preferences, Reliance Retail's CEO for Grocery Damodar Mall, 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,” Mall 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 said. UNI BA SAS
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