Th e East Indian Retail Industry is on a growth trajectory. To a market strategist, East is undoubtedly an ideal location for the growth of the retail industry. Besides being the principal retail-and-services market to a vast hinterland, there are cities which can serve as a center of trade and commerce for the region. East’s proximity to Bangladesh, a country of 13 crore consumers, and to the South-East Asian markets is spelling boom time for the region as is its large, aspirational, middle class population with access to increasing disposable income. Th is, as well as high speed Internet, increasing exposure to technology and the shooting popularity of social media has opened unprecedented opportunities for the retail industry in the East. In the March 2019 issue of IMAGES Retail, we bring you a complete study of this fast emerging as a vibrant business center. Th e cover story analyses change in consumer income and demographic profi le, and the role technological innovations, cultural shifts and social media play in the growing standing of retail in the East on high streets and within malls. Th e issue also carries for its readers, a special feature on Blue Yonder, A JDA Company. Th e article talks about how the company’s innovative AI and ML solutions enable retailers, consumer products and other companies to intelligently transform their operations and make more profitable, automated business decisions that deliver higher profits and optimized customer experiences. Along with this, the issue brings you a feature on our upcoming fl agship event, India Fashion Forum on March 27-28, 2019 in Mumbai. Th e curtain raiser discusses the theme of the upcoming forum ‘Innovate Th e Future of Fashion’ and takes an insightful look at what makes fashion the most profi table segment for the Indian Retail Industry. As always, we hope you fi nd the issued informed and benefi cial. We look forward to seeing you in large numbers at the India Fashion Forum 2019 at Renaissance, Powai in Mumbai next week.