MAM
Retail sector requires new paradigm for consumer-brand interaction
MUMBAI: Retailers around the globe recognise that the outbreak of COVID-19 will have a significant impact on their business.
Sensing this need, FCB, India in collaboration with Networkbay, announced launched ‘Retail: Day 1,’ an initiative to work with brands and retailers to ‘manage, redefine and transform’ their retail experiences in the post-COVID era.
Everyone is looking at the new normal that will arrive as soon as the lockdown gets lifted. After doing an extensive research on consumer behaviour, FCB India has found that the biggest change will be witnessed by the retail sector. The challenge before every brand is to create a new paradigm in which consumers would interact with brands in the retail space.
FCB India and Networkbay will identify a measured careful contact approach and how consumers would react to this new reality.
FCB India group chairman and CEO Rohit Ohri said: “The reason for the partnership is to understand the change as to how we can prepare our clients to adapt quickly to this new world. From the FCB point of view, we are bringing the understanding of consumer behaviour and big changes that we see going forward. At the same time, Networkbay will bring its sense, capability, understanding and technology related to the retail industry."
Networkbay co-founder Hozefa Attari added: “There is no direct answer to what the retail sector is going to look like. Our idea is to create a retail environment that is safe and future-ready and at the same time answers to the very human need of shopping. We are doing this by combining the strengths of some of the best technology brands you see globally.”
FCB has a strong foothold in the automotive space. Dealers were already struggling in the pre-COVID era and Hozefa believes that this industry has a large potential to change the overall consumer experience. They are coming up with automotive visualisation wherein one can create experiences right out of test driving on a roadway. Consumers can also use augmented reality to familiarise with the car.
Another industry which will be hugely impacted is the cosmetic sector where samplers and freebies have always been part of a retail experience. But looking at the situation people will be hesitant to test products now. To enable the contactless makeup journey, Networkbay has come up with a solution where consumers can choose the product which is perfectly calibrated with their skin tones.
A large number of departmental stores and apparel brands are now going to see that consumers are hesitant to pick up clothes and try them in the fitting room. The firm will provide a virtual tour of the store and help consumers choose the clothes of their interest.
Even essential services are impacted, because even after the lockdown is lifted, consumers will look at safe ways to pick a product. So, Networkbay provides an option where instead of picking every product, consumers can have augmented reality product explainers.
According to Hozefa, contactless is just an initial learning but what they really want to see after six months is transformable retail experiences which will connect the brands and connect the shoppers and is still a safe and strong experience.
According to Ohri and Hozefa, clients are more than open for digital solutions because they no longer like to keep physical experience and add a certain level of technology. But they are looking at solutions that can generate a lot of ROI. Investment in digital gives tremendous immediate returns.
“Today we are getting products that we never bought online. If you are doing this for a period of two months you are building a habit; you don’t have a choice. Very few people are stepping out to purchase anything and most products are delivered online. So we created a technology which is simple and accessible,” he said.
According to Ohri, behavioural changes occur when a big event creates disruption. For instance, demonetisation changed the behaviour of transactions for consumers. A lot of people who never used ATM or online transfers or portals like Paytm started using it. So, once the cash flow was back, online transactions wouldn't have become zero. This change has been a transformation for India. It is pretty much like how COVID-19 has affected people.
Brands
YFLO appoints Tania Nijhawan as president for 2026-27 term
Dentist-entrepreneur to lead women’s body amid rising focus on leadership
NEW DELHI: Young FICCI Ladies Organisation (YFLO), the women’s arm of FICCI, has appointed Tania Nijhawan as its president for the 2026-27 tenure, effective April 2026, at a time when conversations around women’s leadership in India are gaining fresh momentum.
A cosmetic and paediatric dentist with over 15 years of experience, Nijhawan is the founder of Udana Wellness, a multi-speciality clinic in Vasant Vihar known for its focus on advanced treatments and patient-centric care. She also serves as director at Nijhawan Group and is an active investor in start-ups across health, wellness and hospitality, including Nuts For Us.
Her academic credentials include advanced training from global institutions such as New York University, the University of Southern California and University College London, shaping her multidisciplinary approach across dentistry and wellness.
YFLO has long positioned itself as a platform for leadership, entrepreneurship and professional growth, bringing together women across industries to drive dialogue and collaboration. Under Nijhawan’s leadership, the organisation is expected to sharpen its focus on cross-sector engagement and meaningful, future-facing conversations.
Speaking on her appointment, Tania Nijhawan said, “YFLO has always stood for meaningful engagement and forward-thinking dialogue. I look forward to building a platform that not only encourages exchange of ideas but also actively supports emerging voices and creates opportunities for collaboration across sectors.”
She added, “The Women’s Reservation Bill, which seeks to reserve 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, is not just a policy shift, it is a generational opportunity. It acknowledges the urgent need for women to have a stronger voice in shaping the nation’s future. True progress lies not just in representation, but in enabling women to lead with agency, confidence and impact.”
As president, Nijhawan will focus on curated programming, high-impact industry conversations and initiatives that bring together women across disciplines. Her theme for the year, “Lead With Your Light,” signals a push towards purpose-led leadership and greater confidence among emerging voices.
Her appointment marks a new chapter for YFLO, one that aims to align leadership, enterprise and policy at a time when women’s voices are increasingly central to India’s growth story.
