The PGDM Retail Management Department at Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS), Rohini organized an insightful Guest Session titled “From Consumer Insight to Store Performance: How Modern Retailers Build Winning Categories Through Strategy, Merchandising & Execution” for PGDM Retail Management students on 17th October 2026. The session was conducted by Mr. Preet Kumar Mahajan, Head – Training & Restaurant Excellence, KFC India, who shared practical insights into improving business performance through strategic thinking, effective coordination, and efficient execution.
The session focused on the practical aspects of consumer-centric strategies, teamwork, operational execution, and problem-solving. Mr. Mahajan highlighted the importance of understanding consumer needs and translating these insights into effective business strategies. Students learned that achieving business targets requires not only effective planning but also efficient implementation at the operational level.
A key emphasis was placed on teamwork, communication, and coordination in achieving common business objectives. An interactive activity enabled students to understand how collaboration and shared responsibility contribute to successful outcomes. The activity demonstrated that even well-planned strategies may fail to deliver the desired results without proper alignment and coordination among team members.
Another important aspect of the session was operational excellence and ground-level execution. Drawing on his industry experience at KFC India, Mr. Mahajan provided insights into identifying performance gaps, understanding operational challenges, and improving coordination to ensure that business targets are achieved effectively and on time. Students gained a better understanding of how strategic planning and practical implementation work together to enhance overall store performance.
Overall, the session successfully connected classroom learning with real-world retail strategy, merchandising, and execution practices, helping students develop a practical understanding of how consumer insights, teamwork, and systematic problem-solving contribute to business success.
Key Takeaways
- Consumer-Centric Thinking: Understanding customer needs and translating insights into effective business strategies.
- Teamwork and Coordination: Recognising the importance of communication, collaboration, and shared responsibility in achieving common targets.
- Root-Cause Analysis: Identifying the underlying causes of problems before developing practical solutions.
- Operational Excellence: Understanding ground-level execution, business priorities, and performance gaps.
- Effective Problem-Solving: Developing solutions that address actual challenges and support the timely achievement of organisational goals.