Chennai, 1st September 2025: As part of the Madras Day 2025 celebrations, Miles2Go
Consulting Services, a Chennai-based Retail Management Consulting firm, organized
the first-of-its-kind retail-focused event — “Made in Madras” — at
Spencers Plaza on 31st August 2025.
The evening turned into a vibrant confluence of ideas,
stories, and perspectives that celebrated Chennai’s entrepreneurial and retail
spirit.
The event explored how the city’s retail identity has
been shaped over time, blending tradition with modernity, and why “Made in
Madras” continues to be a badge of trust and pride for consumers.
Key sessions set the tone for the celebration:
- “The
Spencers Plaza Saga” by Mr. Mahalingam
Balasubramaniam revisited the legacy of Chennai’s first mall, once a
hub of modern retail, and its role in redefining consumer culture in the
city.
- “Evolution
of HR in Retail” by Mafoi Mr.
K. Pandiarajan, Chairman and Managing Director, CIEL HR, traced
how human resources practices have evolved from family-run businesses to
organized formats, underscoring the importance of people-centric
approaches in sustaining growth.
The panel discussion on Business and
Consumer transition from 20th Century Madras to 21st
Century Chennai brought together the city’s celebrated retail entrepreneurs:
- Ms.
V. Thangamalar Jaganath, Partner – Vasanth & Co. shared how the electronics retail chain has retained customer
loyalty through trust, service, and reach
- Mr.
Balachander R, Director – Junior Kupanna spoke
on how a traditional food brand expanded while keeping its identity intact
- Mr.
Harris Abdulla M K, Director – Fruit Shop on Greams Road reflected on how a neighborhood juice shop transformed into a
beloved brand, showing the power of consistency and quality
The grand finale of the evening was “The
Sengol Story” by Vummidi Mr. Balaji, Managing Partner, VBC Jewellers,
highlighted how heritage brands from Madras combine tradition, symbolism, and
craftsmanship to remain relevant in today’s competitive retail landscape.
Mr. Balaji spoke in detail, how the Sengol was
installed at the Parliament on the eve of India’s Independence Day in 1947, as
well as in 2024. The event concluded with the hosts honouring “House of
Vummidi” with the Lifetime Achievement Award as part of
Made in Madras 2025.
Together, the panelists emphasized that “Made
in Madras” is not just about origin, but about values — authenticity,
resilience, and customer-first thinking.
Mr. S. Shriram, Retail Industry Veteran who has been a part of the Indian Retail Industry since 1997,
speaking on the larger context of retail in Chennai, said, “Retail in
Madras has always been community-driven. Be it iconic saree stores, trusted
electronic retailers, or food and beverage brands, what binds them is their
ability to combine tradition with modern business models. The city’s
entrepreneurs have proven that you don’t need to compromise authenticity to
scale up.”
He remarked: “Chennai has consistently been a
trendsetter in retail, balancing heritage with innovation. Today’s discussions
at ‘Made in Madras’ reinforce the idea that our city’s retailers are not just
local champions, but role models for sustainable growth.”
He further added: “Through ‘Made in Madras’,
we wanted to honour the city’s unique entrepreneurial journey and retail
landscape. The participation of such respected voices demonstrates the
relevance of these stories, and we are committed to curating more such
platforms that enrich and empower people.”
The event concluded with lively networking, leaving
participants inspired by the city’s resilience, innovation, and culture of
entrepreneurship.
About Miles2Go…
Miles2Go Consulting Services is a Chennai-based
Management Advisory Firm, offering strategic advisory and tailored consulting
services to Clients in the Retail Industry since 2014. The firm has served
Fortune 100 companies such as ITC Ltd., BSE listed companies such as Indian
Terrain, Thangamayil Jewellers, entrepreneur driven companies such as as
Naturals Salon, Levista Coffee, Specsmakers, OTTO Clothing, among others.
The firm’s offering includes Business Strategy,
Marketing & Sales Strategy, Product and Visual Merchandising, PR and
Communications, Recruitment & Training Services.
With a focus on driving business growth and
innovation, Miles2Go works closely with Founders and Entrepreneurs and enables
organisations navigate challenges and seize opportunities.
Beyond Management Advisory, Miles2Go Consulting Services
organises various conclaves and events like Made in Madras,
enriching people with insights and experiences that inspire collaboration and
progress.