"My idea of India is that India will have the largest workforce in the world by 2027. The people who can drive change are already here. It is our responsibility to build the infrastructure that ensures everyone has the opportunity to contribute to India's growth," Rochita Dey, Director, Sreeleathers Ltd., said at ABP Network's Ideas of India 2025 in the session 'Understanding the Indian Consumer – Diversity and Inclusion'
Speaking about Women in Leadership, she remarked, "When I was younger, there was a stereotype about women in business. While times have changed, the bias still exists. A male counterpart in the boardroom might confidently claim credit for 20% of the work while a woman might hesitate to acknowledge even 80% of her contribution."
On Empowering Youth and Brand Positioning, she said, "We are the youngest major economy, with a median age of 28. Now is the time to create something aspirational and different for the youth. Our brand positioning is deeply rooted in India. If we can build a brand with a premium aesthetic without a luxury price tag, we will be able to reach a much larger audience."
On Trust and Serving the Nation through an Omnichannel Strategy, she added, "For FMCG, online platforms are important, but an omnichannel strategy is the way forward. Personally, I value the experience of visiting a store, trying a product, and making an informed choice. While an online store makes it easier to build customer relationships, brick-and-mortar stores play a crucial role in enhancing the shopping experience. However, for startups, physical stores can be an expensive investment."
When asked about Transparency, Manufacturing, and 'Make in India', she highlighted, "My goal is to ensure that my business remains relevant. We believe in being transparent and authentic. Supporting our manufacturers through 'Make in India' is a priority. If we want our factories to compete in the global market, we need to invest in new technology and upskill our workforce."
Elaborating on her marketing strategy, she remarked, "We have never relied on celebrity brand ambassadors. Instead, we focus on authentic engagement, including placing our ads in newspapers."
ABP Network's Ideas of India 2025, centred around the theme 'Humanity's Next Frontier', will bring together thought leaders and innovators to explore the challenges and opportunities presented by India's rise in a rapidly changing world. In the face of climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and technological advancements such as AI, the summit delved into India's role as both an ancient civilisation and a demographic powerhouse in shaping the future. The two-day summit gathers a confluence of ideas from global thought leaders, intellectuals, and change makers, covering transformative possibilities in science, medicine, social contracts, and global leadership, with experts from diverse fields offering bold visions for a better, more sustainable world for all.
