RULES & GUIDELINES FOR PARTICIPANTS

Welcome to the IRF RISING STAR CHALLENGE 2014! The challenge invites team entries from top management institutes to submit detailed Business Plans (with Executive Summaries). The 3 best teams selected by the jury will get the opportunity to present their Business Plans in a 15 minutes presentation at the IRF stage on 17th September 2014 at the Renaissance Hotel in Powai, Mumbai.

1) THE CHALLENGE

TOMMY HILFIGER PRESENTS IRF RISING STAR CHALLENGE: INDIA'S TOP B SCHOOLS PRESENT CREATING A RETAIL BUSINESS WHICH DELIVERS POSITIVE SOCIAL IMPACT

Retail Entrepreneurship is not strictly about making money; it is about doing something bigger than yourself, something that creates social impact. It is how one does well by doing good.

The fourth edition of the IRF RISING STAR CHALLENGE, brings an opportunity to the brightest young minds of today to put their best foot forward with a Business plan entailing the creation of a retail business which delivers positive social impact. A socially impactful retail business is a great way to establish a leadership position in the eyes of customers and can help to achieve the differentiation of a retail brand in a crowded pool of competitors. Long term, it can create a loyal following of consumers who benefit from the product / service and from buyers that want to support socially conscious establishments.

While a majority of socially responsible businesses operate in a service industry, it could be through brick and mortar stores or an online format supported by physical retail

presence, your business plan should outline the criteria that will illustrate how you plan to reach your social development and financial goals.

Clearly define what your product or service in the arena of the social development your organization wants to make a difference into. Who will my product / service appeal to? What is its value to the customer? What problem is it solving in the market? Explain what sets your product of service apart from the competition. What is its market opportunity for growth is the business scalable? What are the regulatory and tax laws affecting your retail business? How will you raise capital? If you already have a prototype, done beta testing and/or have hit any other milestones, make that clear in the plan, too.

2) WHO CAN PARTICIPATE (ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA)

a) Participation is open to post-graduate students of all Management Institutes in India.

b) Participation in teams is mandatory, with each team comprising of THREE STUDENTS and a Faculty member from the institute as the teams Mentor.

c) Multiple entries from a single institution are acceptable, and encouraged.

3) WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE (BENEFITS)

a) To showcase your winning strategies and transformational ideas at a national platform and make a mark on the biggest names in the retail industry.

b) Opportunity to rub shoulders with the whos who of the industry at the largest and most exciting Retail Conference in this part of the world (three top teams will get the opportunity to make their presentations at the India Retail Forum 2014 in Mumbai).

c) Vie for the IRF RISING STAR CHALLENGE 2014 Trophy, Winners Certificates, and a number of attractive prizes and gifts. Additional opportunity to get Press Coverage as a large number of leading business journalists would be present.

d) Three Finalist Teams get an all-access invitation pass with unlimited access for both days to the main Conference + Exhibition + Gala Awards Dinner (Institutions / teams would have to bear the associated travel / accommodation costs).

4) UNDERSTANDING THE CHALLENGE

a) The Case study being selected should be pertaining to: A retail business having a minimum annual gross turnover of Rs.100 crores in its last year of operation and presently operating in India, which the participants identify as a socially responsible organization, and build a case on its contribution in social development within the next 1-3 years.

b) Participants need to select an imaginary brand name for their retail business chain.

c) No actual case / real company name to be used. All data and company names to be imagined on own, and put into effect on a hypothetical basis.

d) Only original business plans will be accepted. Any form or extent of plagiarism will lead to immediate disqualification of the team.

e) Proposed business plans should be practically viable and comply with the existing government policies.

5) HOW TO 0REGISTER

Participants desirous of entering the competition should email the completed Registration form duly signed by the Faculty mentor and bearing the Institutes seal on or before July 17, 2014 to:

- images.pradeep@gmail.com - nakuljain@imagesgroup.in - mohuaroy@imagesgroup.in

Download the Registration Form from: http://www.indiaretailforum.in/irf.aspx?mpgid=2&pgidtrail=5

6) IMPORTANT DEADLINES

DATE SUBMISSION / EVENT

17th July 2014 Last Date for submitting Registration form

24th July 2014 Last Date for submission of 500 words outline (executive summary) including Brand Name 13th August 2014 Last Date for submission of complete Business Plan

25th August 2014 Announcement of 3 Finalist teams

10th September 2014 Last Date for submission of 20 slides PPT

17th September 2014 Final presentation by the 3 teams at the India Retail Forum

Please note: All the programme deadlines are fixed and non-negotiable.

7) GUIDELINES FOR THE BUSINESS PLAN

a) Word-count: Minimum 20,000 words, Maximum 30,000 words. Should be submitted in MS Word with Font size: Arial 12 with 1.5 spacing. All pages must be numbered after the cover page and must have a header or footer stating the name of the business.

b) The Business plan must have the vision, objectives, business strategy for scaling up and growing the business profitably to make it an Indian business giant which can provide a positive social impact.

Please Note: Name of the institution should not appear anywhere except on the cover page of the document.

8) JUDGING CRITERIA

1. As the most respected knowledge platform of the retail industry, every aspect of the India Retail Forum is distinguished by high standards of professionalism and quality. The IRF RISING STAR CHALLENGE 2014 will be judged by a panel of renowned retail professionals and consultants. The name of the institution will not be revealed to the jury to ensure impartiality.

9) SELECTION PROCESS FOR FINALIST TEAMS

1. Out of the several business plans received, a distinguished Jury will shortlist the 3 finalist teams whose names will be announced on the IRF website.

2. The feedback or suggestions received from the Jury panel will be sent to the finalist teams, to incorporate in their final presentations.

3. Finalist teams will make a 15 minutes presentation (maximum 20 slides) on the stage at the IRF Rising Star Challenge 2014 on 17th September 2014.

Visit http://www.indiaretailforum.in/irf.aspx?mpgid=2&pgidtrail=5 for more details