Explore how Akshat Ghiya, a PGDM student at Jaipuria Institute of Management, Jaipur, applied classroom concepts to a live retail and consumer marketing project during his internship at Reliance Consumer Products Ltd., gaining practical exposure to sales operations, consumer behaviour, brand execution, and real-world retail market dynamics in a highly competitive FMCG environment.
Into the Market, Into the Real World: Akshat Ghiya’s Internship at Reliance Consumer Products Ltd.
Marketing is often taught through frameworks, case studies, and classroom discussions. But the real test of those concepts comes when you step outside the classroom and into the market, where consumer behaviour is unpredictable, every retailer has different concerns, and theory has to prove itself in real time. That is exactly the experience Akshat Ghiya, a PGDM student at Jaipuria Institute of Management, Jaipur, gained during his Summer Internship at Reliance Consumer Products Ltd., where he stepped beyond the classroom and into retail outlets, gaining first-hand exposure to sales operations, brand execution, and the everyday dynamics of a competitive FMCG market.
Bridging the Gap: MBA Internship Expectations vs. Reality
Akshat entered his internship with a clear expectation: practical, ground-level exposure to sales and marketing. Jaipuria had already given him the conceptual framework. Now it was time to test it in the field.
“Fortunately, my actual internship experience matched my expectations, as I got the chance to work on practical tasks, understand industry sales and marketing closely, and enhance my professional learning,” he says.
What he did not fully anticipate was just how much marketing happens not in meeting rooms or strategy decks, but in retail outlets, one conversation with one retailer at a time.
The Field as the Classroom
Akshat’s days at Reliance Consumer Products Ltd. were spent largely in the market. His responsibilities included market visits, outlet surveys, competitor presence analysis, cooler deployment studies, and retailer engagement strategies. He interacted directly with retailers across outlets to understand consumer preferences, market challenges, and how brand visibility varies dramatically from one point of sale to the next.
He also worked on explaining concepts like the “1.5 Rule” and impulse purchasing strategies to retailers, helping them understand how product placement decisions translate directly into sales outcomes.
“I was involved in explaining concepts like the 1.5 Rule and impulse purchasing strategies to retailers in order to improve product visibility and increase sales. I also gained practical exposure in understanding how brand placement, retailer relationships, and outlet-level execution play an important role in driving business growth in a competitive market,” he says.
Seeing a business concept connect with a retailer on the ground, and watching it influence actual behaviour, is an experience that complements and enriches the strong classroom learning at Jaipuria Institute of Management.
Adapting to an Unpredictable Market
The most challenging part of Akshat’s internship was its inherent variability. No two outlets were the same. No two retailers had the same concerns, expectations, or market realities.
“Every outlet had different challenges, expectations, and market conditions, which required quick understanding and effective communication,” he explains.
Akshat responded by staying observant, learning continuously from mentors and field experiences, and resisting the urge to impose a uniform approach on a diverse and dynamic market. That flexibility and problem-solving instinct is exactly what Jaipuria works to build in every student.
Skills That Go Beyond the Syllabus
Through his time at Reliance Consumer Products Ltd., Akshat developed competencies in communication, market analysis, problem solving, teamwork, and the practical mechanics of sales and distribution. More importantly, he developed an understanding of consumer behaviour that can only come from standing in a retail outlet and listening to the person behind the counter.
Clarity of Purpose
Akshat’s internship did more than add experience to his resume. It gave him direction.
“My biggest takeaway from the Summer Internship was understanding the importance of practical exposure and ground-level learning in the corporate world. It also gave me clarity about my interest in sales and marketing, which will positively influence the rest of my MBA journey and help me build a stronger foundation for my future career aspirations,” he reflects.
At Jaipuria, that clarity of purpose is what we strive to give every student. Akshat found his at Reliance Consumer Products Ltd., and we could not be prouder.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How did Jaipuria Institute of Management prepare Akshat Ghiya for his internship at Reliance Consumer Products?
Jaipuria’s PGDM curriculum gave Akshat a strong conceptual foundation in consumer behaviour, brand strategy, and market analysis, which he was able to apply directly during his field-based internship at Reliance.
What were Akshat’s main responsibilities during his SIP?
His responsibilities included market visits, outlet surveys, competitor analysis, cooler deployment studies, retailer engagement, and communicating sales strategies like the 1.5 Rule and impulse purchasing to retail partners.
What skills did Akshat develop during his internship?
He developed skills in communication, market analysis, problem solving, teamwork, consumer behaviour understanding, and field level sales and distribution execution.
What was the most challenging aspect of Akshat’s internship?
Adapting to the variability of real market situations was the biggest challenge, as every retailer and outlet presented different expectations and conditions requiring quick thinking and flexible communication.
How has the internship shaped Akshat’s career direction?
The experience confirmed his passion for sales and marketing and gave him a practical understanding of how brand strategy and retail execution work together to drive business growth, providing a clear foundation for his future career.
