As we get into 2011, it is heartening to see how retailers have sharpened their retailing skills in the last one year and are looking at profitable expansion in the years to come.

Considering the economic conditions in India, opportunities that it opens up, and a promise of GDP growth upwards of 8.5%, the stage is set for retailers to invest in technology to take themselves to the next level of growth and efficiency.

As part of our endeavor to expose the immense possibilities of utilizing technology for innovation and optimization in retail, we are pleased to announce the theme for 7th edition of ReTechCon to be held in Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai on 06-07 June 2011.

The Central theme would be:

Leveraging Technology for Growth

   a) Emerging Technology for Retail

   b) Technology for Emerging Retail

While ReTechCon has always been successful in getting retail CIOs to participate, we do see a need to bring in various other functional experts, decision makers and business stakeholders to attend ReTechCon for them to shape the path towards strategic IT usage.

We hence urge you to commit your support to ReTechCon and not just focus your energies on technology and IT Heads, but also prepare to engage with the non-IT business head as well. We believe that this opportunity to address the requirements of retailers with their cross-functional teams provides an opportunity to go beyond the conventional presentation based dialogue.

Looking forward to your whole hearted participation at ReTechCon 2011.

As you are aware, The Supreme Court on 4th February 2011 had directed the Delhi High Court that the matter of levy service tax on renting of immovable properties be placed for final hearing on 15.02.2011 and no further adjournments would be granted.

This matter accordingly came up for hearing before the Delhi High Court on15th February, 2011. Citing the complex nature of the issues involved, Delhi High Court referred this to a larger bench and listed this for hearing on 22nd February, 2011. The matter was argued on 22nd February, 24th February, 3rd March and 10th March 2011.

Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Mr Harish Salve appeared on behalf of the petitioners. During the course of hearing, Dr Singhvi argued on the constitutional validity of levy of service tax on renting of immovable property "per se". On 10th March 2011 the matter was part heard and Mr Harish Salve argued very well on the issue of interpretation of taxing entries under the Constitution of India and also on the aspect theory.

This matter was referred for Government arguments for 21st March 2011 and then for 31st March 2011. Additional Solicitor General Mr. A.S Chandiok appeared on behalf of the Union of India. This matter has now been adjourned to 26th April in the Delhi High Court.

Retailers Association of India's two day workshop on SUPERTEAM - Building Winning Retail Teams was held on the 9th - 10th March, 2011 in Mumbai, and 16th - 17th March, 2011 in Bangalore. The workshop was designed specifically for professionals in the retail industry to enable them to enhance their ability and skills required to build successful teams at their stores and back-office.

The workshop was conducted by Malcolm Stephens - Director of TRIDENT CONSULTING PRIVATE LIMITED. He is also attached with leading Management Institutions, Colleges, and Schools and contributes in various business publications.

The objectives of the SUPERTEAM program was to enable the participants to build and sustain high quality winning teams that are equipped to acquire, manage and disseminate knowledge required to perform various functions in a retail organization as one cohesive team. The program was designed specifically for teams at both the store and the back-office.

"SUPERTEAM - Building Winning Retail Teams" workshop held in Mumbai and Bangalore was attended by 63 retail professionals of prominent retail organizations like: Titan Industries Ltd, Shoppers Stop Ltd, Crossword Bookstore Ltd, Furtados Music (India) Pvt Ltd, Religare Wellness Limited, Future Value Retail Ltd, William Penn, Gangar Opticians Pvt Ltd. UniverCell Telecommunications, Smart Toys Trade Pvt Ltd, Max Retail Stores, C. Krishniah Chetty & Sons P Ltd, Arihant Retail P Ltd, Rancorp, P N Rao, Megaherts Systems Private Limited and Texperts India Private Limited to name of few.

Retailers Association of India & Indira Gandhi National Open University offer three years BBA in Retailing - An opportunity to help the right people grow!

RAI-IGNOU`s 'BBA in Retailing' is a unique programme with University-Industry collaboration. The Programme has been developed by key retail industry experts and academicians. The duration of the structured course is three years and it includes on the job training (internship) in the first year. This is the opportunity to those who are already employed with 10+2 qualifications in your retail organization to enhance their qualification along with upgrading their skills.

The course will start from first week of July 2011 & we invite you to participate in this programme by enrolling your employees as sponsored candidates. The sponsored candidate will continue to work on the retail floors as directed by you and in the areas as assigned by your organization. During this period he/she will be writing his/her workbook and reporting to the supervisor as assigned by you.

Please find below the link to a concept note on the programme and a weblink to download the prospectus and application form. You may please send in your requirements latest by 15th June 2011.

We are sure that you will not miss this unique opportunity to engage associates and help them learn too!

For further details contact:
Lawrence Fernandes, Director - Retail Learning, Mobile: +91 9029089915, Email: lawrence@rai.net.in
D. Joice Smiling, Regional Director - Southern Region, Mobile: +91 9360382852, Email: smiling@rai.net.in
Brijesh Gangwar, Manager Business Development - Mobile: +91 9910999899 Email: brijesh@rai.net.in

Retailers Association of India (RAI) had entered into an exclusive joint venture with Timesjobs.com, one of the leading job portals in India. As part of this alliance, RAI & TimesJobs.com have launched http://rai.timesjobs.com, the recruitment portal specifically for the retail industry. The objective of this portal is to make sure both employers and jobseekers from the retail sector can fulfill their recruitment needs in the most cost and time efficient way.

RAI's involvement in this portal has ensured that rai.timesjobs.com is a recruitment solution built by and for the Retail Industry while leveraging TimesJobs.com's e-recruitment expertise.

More than 40 leading retailers have signed up since the inception and those wishing to sign-in, kindly do so at the earliest at the special rates.

Please contact Lawrence Fernandes on 09029089915, lawrence@rai.net.in