IBSA in collaboration with CII and IMI Kolkata organised an engaging Fireside chat with Prof. Nirmalya Kumar and Mr. Shiv Siddhant Kaul on 30th April, 2026. The session centred on Prof. Kumar’s latest book, Clash: Amazon vs Walmart – How Upstarts Challenge and Incumbents Respond.

Prof. Nirmalya Kumar – an academic, art enthusiast, and acclaimed author of 10 books – has taught at leading institutions including Harvard, London Business School, INSEAD, IMD and has advised over 50 Fortune 500 companies across 60 countries. He is a leading thinker in Marketing and Strategy and recognised by Thinkers50, amongst the 50 best and most influential Business School professors in the world.

Mr. Shiv Siddhant Kaul, MD of Nicco Engineering Services brought his own depth of industry and leadership experience to the conversation.

Hosted at the Indian Management Institute (IMI) Kolkata, IBSA and CII together curated a diverse audience, from seasoned professionals to young entrepreneurs and graduate students stepping into their careers.

Prof. Kumar unpacked insights from years of studying retail giants like Walmart and Amazon – offering sharp perspectives on e‑commerce vs traditional retail, the evolution of business models in a digital era, countercyclical marketing and the expanding role of advertising in sustaining scale.

The session concluded with an energetic Q&A that reflected the curiosity and engagement of the audience.