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During his AGM speech, Mukesh Ambani highlighted Reliance Retail’s unmatched omni-channel strategy, bolstered by a 28.4 % EBITDA increase, a vast network of 19,000 stores and an extensive 80 million sq. ft. of retail space read more
 "Reliance Retail posts 28.4% EBITDA rise, 300 mn customers and top global ranks")
Isha Ambani. AP
Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani highlighted the company’s position in the retail sector at the 47th Annual General Meeting on Thursday showcasing impressive growth and strategic achievements.
Global retail positioning
Reliance Retail has achieved significant milestones in the global retail landscape. It is now ranked among the top 5 global retailers based on the number of stores it operates. In terms of market capitalisation, Reliance Retail holds a position within the top 10 retailers worldwide. Additionally, the company is among the top 20 retailers regarding the number of employees. When it comes to revenue, Reliance Retail is positioned within the top 30 retailers globally.
“Our unique operating model has been the foundation of the competitive advantage and leadership position of our Retail business,” said the Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director.
Omni-channel excellence
Ambani elaborated on the company’s omni-channel strategy, which he described as “unbeatable,” providing a seamless experience across physical and online channels. He noted, “We have a common inventory across channels that provides hyperlocal delivery leveraging our widest store network. We have built multiple channels to serve customers through about 19,000 own stores with nearly 80 million sq. ft. across 7,000+ cities, 4 million kirana partners and a wide bouquet of digital platforms which provides us access to consumers across the country. We have built an extensive and efficient supply chain with over 32 million sq. ft. warehouse network to support our pan-India operations.”
Societal impact and growth metrics
Ambani also emphasised the company’s commitment to societal goals, saying, “I am happy to inform you that our retail business is also promoting several important societal goals. We are enriching India’s kisans(farmers) and MSMEs by procuring their quality produce. We are sourcing more from tribal areas. We are promoting women entrepreneurs. Above all, our Retail business is generating more direct and indirect livelihood opportunities.”
Financial performance and customer base
Isha Ambani, non-executive director of Reliance Industries reported robust financial performance of Reliance Retail which she heads.
“We continued our trajectory of strong profit growth, registering an EBITDA of ₹23,082 crore (US$ 2.8 billion), up 28.4% YoY and net profit of ₹11,101 crore (US$ 1.3 billion), up 21% YoY. At 8.5%, the EBITDA margin continued to show improvements and grew 70 bps YoY. Our stores witnessed over a billion footfalls, and we had more than 1.25 billion transactions across our channels. Registered customer base crossed a milestone of 300 million customers, nearly the population of the US,” said Isha.
Rapid expansion in grocery and new acquisitions
Isha highlighted the company’s leading position in the grocery sector, “In grocery, we are not only the largest, but also one of the fastest-growing retailers, expanding at 2.5 times the rate of the rest of modern trade. Our growth is driven by our focus on smaller towns, where over two-thirds of our new stores are opening.”
She also discussed the acquisition of Metro India Cash & Carry, “With the acquisition of Metro India Cash & Carry, we have strengthened our omni-channel capabilities, offering a wider assortment for our kirana and HoReCa partners. We are delighted to have over 4 million registered kirana partners in our new commerce business, supported by a footprint of over 220 Metro stores across 200 cities.”
Advances in consumer brands and fashion
On consumer brands, Isha said, “In our consumer brands business, we are focussed on creating high-quality products at affordable prices to drive greater consumption across India. We have re-launched several popular brands like Campa, Lotus Chocolates, and Sosyo. The early success of all these brands gives us confidence that we are on the right path.”
In fashion and lifestyle, she said, “Our vertically integrated operations—from designing and fabric sourcing to logistics and distribution—allow us to set trends and meet the diverse fashion needs of our customers across the country. We are the only fashion player in India with a significant presence in every segment of the income pyramid, from mass market to premium and luxury segments.”
Leadership in consumer electronics and beauty
Turning to consumer electronics, Isha said, “We remain the market leader, driven by our commitment to personalised customer experiences and offering tailored solutions. A key differentiator for us is the high-quality sales and after-sales service provided through our in-house service arm, resQ. We have rapidly scaled our on-demand services for electronics across India and expanded our big-box Reliance Digital format, alongside a new, productivity-focused format for the latest mobiles and laptops.”
In beauty, she highlighted, “We are building our presence through an omni-channel strategy across multiple formats, like Tira, Sephora, Kiko Milano, and Blushlace. We are also enhancing our beauty and personal care offerings across our existing formats—grocery, fashion, and pharma—both online and offline. Our investment in Insight Cosmetics is enabling us to create our own brand portfolio.”
Disclaimer: Firstpost is part of the Network18 group. Network18 is controlled by Independent Media Trust, of which Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary.
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