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Organized Retail Creates Jobs, Spurs Growth

Indian retail contributes 11% of our country’s GDP. In the last few years, organized retail stores have come up in cities and towns in a big way. The trend has been triggered by the change in the Indian consumer in terms of purchasing power, choice preferences, demand for quality control, and value for money. Organized retail creates better opportunities and profit for the end-suppliers such as farmers, spinners, rural craftsmen, etc. It also creates price competition that works for the consumers’ good.

Growth of indian retail

The growth of organized retail stores like Big Bazaar, Shopper’s Stop, Lifestyle Retail and Spencer’s Retail is already derailing small mom-and-pop stores, with or without FDI. On the other hand, organized retail employs 40 million Indians, offers organized shifts and salaries, fair work policies and generates $450 million revenue. Most importantly, organized retail creates direct relationships with suppliers, cutting out the middle man’s cut which can be exorbitant. While the sale of a kilogram of potatoes will get a farmer only Rs.3-4, it is sold in the market for Rs.25. Organized retail ensures farmers get a better deal.

Organized retail also supports agricultural workers with infrastructure to reduce food spoilage – cold storage for perishables like fruits and vegetables, hygienic transport, etc. Currently, food wastage leads to 30% losses that contribute to our current inflation rate. The sad state of backend infrastructure in India may get addressed with FDI support as the government needs both funds and expertise in this area.

In September 2012, the government sanctioned FDI in single-brand retail – allowing 100% ownership on the condition that 30 percent of goods be sourced from Indian small and medium suppliers. FDI in multi-brand retail was also allowed subject to state government sanctions, with 51% ownership and a minimum of $100 million initial investment spread over 3 years. The government has also advised foreign parties to invest 50 percent in backend infrastructure development.

Though many heated arguments have prevailed in the political arena over FDI, it isStatewise FDI Retail breakout supported by organized retailers in India and rural farmer associations such as Consortium of Indian Farmers Associations (CIFA). However, the restrictive regulations, state-level uncertainties, bad infrastructure, and high investment stake will limit the entry of foreign investors. Walmart, Tesco, and Carrefour are still testing the waters in wholesale markets though they were expected to launch retail stores soon.

Organized retail in India faces other challenges too such as:

  • Wide geographical spread
  • Varying customer preferences across states and regions
  • Limited access to retail markets because of FDI opposition in some states
  • Complex distribution network
  • Taxation laws that favor small retailers
  • Cumbersome real estate procurement and local laws
  • Resistance in some local areas (political and coercive)
  • Limited use of IT systems for analysis, supply chain management, etc.
  • Small ticket size
  • Lack of retail management education
  • Lack of retail workforce trainings

Organized retail (with FDI support) has helped economies like China, Japan, and Malaysia increase local employment, competition and product quality. There is no reason why the same can’t happen in India over time. Joint ventures with foreign players, multi-format and single-brand stores will bring down prices, create wider choice of quality goods, and drive more profits to the supplier’s end. However, political tussles and unfavorable conditions may deter many foreign retailers from investing in India.

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Too early to rejoice over retail FDI

India Inc is euphoric as the red carpet for Walmart, Tesco and its ilk has been formally rolled out with reports suggesting Delhi as the first city to host the global retail giants.

Riding on the retail bandwagon, the analyst community and government voices have fuelled hopes of more measures in the coming weeks like passing of key financial sector reform bills, FDI in insurance and so on.

RETAIL MARKET-CRISIL

In a September, 2012 report, Crisil estimated that allowing 51 % FDI in multi-brand retail will result in investment of $2.5 billion-$3billion in the retail sector over the next five years.

FDI in retail will also address the issue of inflation as mandatory creation of backend infrastructure may remove bottlenecks and inefficiencies in the supply chain and pave way for better farm practices and higher prices for farmers.

But getting carried away with the ‘potential’ big investments would be foolhardy as FDI in multi-brand retail is at the discretion of states. With a busy election calendar for the next one year followed by the big Lok Sabha elections, FDI in retail is unlikely to get off the ground.

RETAIL FORMATS

After the Gujarat polls in December, there are state elections in Karnataka, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Tripura in the first half of 2013 and Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Delhi and Rajasthan in the second half. This means implementation of FDI in retail is at risk in the near term as the reform measure will give way to populism. With the latest Walmart controversy over lobbying claims rocking Parliament, FDI in retail has attracted severe negative publicity and is being viewed as anti-people. On current mood, even Congress-ruled states would not invite the wrath of voters and woo global retailers.

Also, riders like minimum $100 million investment, 30% sourcing from small industries, etc may act as barriers for global retailers.

However, retail stocks have been flying high in the last few months on hopes that FDI would help them forge partnerships with global retail chains and bring in funding and technology for the sector.

RETAIL-COMPANIES SHARE

While FDI in retail will attract capital inflows in the long-term, it is miniscule when compared to India’s annual requirements. C Rangarajan, Prime Minister’s Economic Advisor was quoted as saying in October that India needs capital inflows of up to $ 70 billion annually for the next five years to bring its Current Account Deficit (CAD) down to 2.3% of GDP.

RETAIL VERTICALS

Apart from acting as a sentiment booster, FDI in retail is unlikely to change the fundamental equations at the ground level like elevated inflation, high fiscal and current account deficits and a weakening currency.

For the economy to decisively turnaround, structural reforms like addressing coal and power sector issues, fast-tracking investment proposals and land acquisition and green clearances are crucial.

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