RAI's Bhatt flags D2C consolidation, quick commerce, AI as North East retail eyes scale

At the North East Retail Summit curtain raiser in Guwahati, RAI President Hitesh Bhatt cited HUL's ₹2,000 cr beauty acquisition and named Lenskart, Mamaearth and Country Delight as disruptors reshaping the playbook. With 67% working-age population and median age 28, omnichannel and AI dominate the agenda.

— Filed Mon, 15 Jun, 2026, 11:05 IST · Source Retailers Association of India · Updated

RAI President Hitesh Bhatt's North East Retail Summit keynote in Guwahati flagged D2C consolidation (HUL's ₹2,000 cr beauty buy), named Lenskart, Mamaearth, Country Delight as disruptors, and highlighted quick commerce, AI and omnichannel shifts.