Retail India Business - News, Views and Much More

Retail India: Spar India to Open 9 Stores in Mumbai

Spar India which operates in Mumbai through a licencee agreement with Radhakrishnan Foodland Pvt Ltd, having one store presently plans to open another 9 stores in Mumbai, India.

Retail India: Giordano Opening at Chennai

Giordano is all set to set its first store in the country at Chennai's upcoming City Centre Mall which is slated to open early 2006. Other Anchor Stores include Lifestyle

Retail India: Mallz 99 Sets Franchisee in India

Mallz 99 has opened its first store at Delhi. The company has set a very ambitious target of 200 stores in 4 years as part of thier expansion strategy. http://www.mallz.biz/

Retail India: Passage to India - Franchisee

This should be titled something like The Great Train Robbery.

Franchising is probably The Great Passage to India. With the government assuming its protecting local players and restricting FDI in Retailing whilst allowing MNC to enter and retail in India through Franchise Route and Wholesale Trading.

These are definitely double standards of the government and a loop hole in the system. Well I'm not supporting the restrictions of FDI in Retail but rather welcome it. As a consumer I'm overwhelmed with the choices and quality in offering today.

I think its time the government makes its stance clear and decides which route to embark upon. Its common to find MNC companies in everything today. The Local Raj has definitely vanished.

Retail India: MotherCare Set to Enter India

MotherCare, UK, has signed a Franchisee Agreement to enter India with 40 Outlets.

Retail India: The Problem with Indian Politics and Development

It should be common fact that despite India's advances and growth over the last decade, India still stumbles upon beurocracy and its growth is hampered from its true potential. This can atleast be stated for the record within the field of Retailing.

Despite Retailing and Entrepreneurship being the largest employing industry in India and contributing a significant portion to GDP, it still lacks the basic recognition of being considered with an Industry status. Indian Retailing has made much strides over the last 15 years and more specifically in the last 10 years. The growth in Retailing and the employment oppurtunities it provides is unlimited and is a good potential for the government to combat unemployment.

Now with the Wal-Mart, Tesco, Carrefour, etc to name a few of the Global Retailers who have made repeat representation for years through various platforms to enter India provided that is a level playing platform, India still lacks the strength to open up the sector. True its not a easy task and no one is committing that local players would be squeezed out. But is't this true in every other field? What difference does that make? Everyday there are large Indian companies buying other smaller Indian companies and there are many more Indian companies shutting shop becuase of intense competition and loosing market share. These are companies of Indian origin loosing out to other Indian companies itself. Is't it a matter of Survival of the Fittest? This would definitely happen when MNCs enter India. But are we not loosing out on the fact that the consumer and the industry stands to gain? Until recently we had not heard of any returns policy or Gaurantee by retailers. Today this exisists with most of the large retailers across sectors. Does't the customer get a better bargain for what he is paying?

Its probably time the government opens the doors across sectors. Yes with protection to the local player. But not to open the sector at all is the crudest mistake.

Retail India: Tesco Boss to visit India

With the ongoing speculation (for months now) by the government on opening up FDI in Retail, Tesco is one of latest to official quote thier intent to set shop in India and a planned visit by Sir Terry Leahy in the short term to India to get a ground feel. Obviously what is not said outright is the possible displomatics meetings with key ministers and possiblity of Indian Business Partners.