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Moderated by Ashita Marya, CEO of Franchise India, the session explored the enduring relevance of physical retail alongside the rapid rise of digital and quick commerce models. The conversation highlighted the hybrid future of retail, balancing trust-building physical experiences with the speed and convenience of digital channels.
Brick-and-Mortar’s Enduring Edge
Hanisha Gandhi, Executive Director of Archies Limited, delivered a strong endorsement of traditional retail. She emphasized: “Brick-and-mortar retail can never go out of fashion because trust remains a critical part of the consumer journey. Physical stores create credibility, familiarity, and a deeper connection with customers in a way that continues to matter, even in an increasingly digital world.”
Gandhi’s remarks resonated strongly in discussions around the role of malls versus high street versus digital. She argued that while e-commerce offers reach, physical stores excel in emotional engagement, especially for categories like gifting, where Archies has built its legacy. Panelists noted that malls provide curated environments that drive experiential shopping, high streets offer accessibility and local flavor and digital channels deliver scale and data-driven personalization.
Experience-Led Retail and Footfall Drivers
The panel delved into experience-led retail and footfall drivers. In an era of online fatigue, physical spaces must offer more than products, they need to create memorable moments. Malls are evolving into lifestyle destinations with entertainment, dining, and events to boost dwell time and spending. High streets, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, benefit from familiarity and community ties. Speakers highlighted how brands leverage store design, interactive displays, and personalized services to convert footfall into loyalty. This experiential focus helps counter the convenience of quick deliveries by making physical visits worthwhile.
Quick Commerce: Adaptation and Momentum
Satish Puranam, Vice President – Franchise Strategy and Operations at Reliance Retail, addressed the disruptive force of quick commerce: “Quick commerce is clearly here to stay and as a brand, we have consciously adapted and embraced this shift in consumer behaviour. While we may have entered the space later than some others, we recognised its importance and moved quickly to align with the evolving market.”
Puranam’s comments underscored the panel’s pragmatic view on distribution and last-mile retail reach. Quick commerce, with its 10-30 minute delivery promise, has become a structural habit in urban India, particularly for groceries and essentials. Reliance Retail’s strategic entry reflects a broader industry shift toward omnichannel models. Panelists discussed how last-mile networks, powered by dark stores and hyperlocal logistics, extend reach into neighborhoods while traditional distribution networks maintain efficiency for larger formats. The challenge lies in balancing speed with profitability.
Store Economics, Profitability and Partnerships
Store economics and profitability emerged as a key pain point. Rising rents, inventory costs and competition from digital players demand smarter operations. Brands are optimizing store footprints, focusing on high-conversion locations, and using data to refine assortments. On partnerships between malls and brands, the discussion was optimistic. Collaborative models, such as revenue-sharing, co-branded experiences and joint marketing that help mitigate risks and drive mutual growth. Malls offer brands visibility and foot traffic, while brands bring fresh concepts that revitalize mall spaces. Ashita Marya skillfully steered the conversation, drawing out insights on franchising as a scalable route for expansion, aligning perfectly with Franchise India’s mission.
The Hybrid Future of Indian Retail
The panel painted a picture of a resilient, adaptive retail industry. Brick-and-mortar provides the trust foundation, quick commerce delivers immediacy and malls/high streets anchor experiences. As India’s retail market continues its strong growth trajectory toward becoming a multi-trillion-dollar sector, success will belong to players who master this hybrid playbook. Leaders like Hanisha Gandhi and Satish Puranam exemplify the mindset required, deep respect for physical retail’s irreplaceable role combined with agile adoption of new channels. For startups and established brands alike, the message from Bharat Startup Summit 2026 was clear that scale comes from integration, not isolation.
