[" [http://www.economist.com/markets/indicators/ Economic and financial indicators] " July 3, 2008.] The enormous growth of the retail industry has created a huge demand for real estate. Property developers are creating retail real estate at an aggressive pace and by 2010, 300 malls are estimated to be operational in the country. [" [http://indiafmcg.blogspot.com/2007/08/indian-retail-story-from-myths-to-mall.html Indian Retail story from Myths to Mall] ." August 11, 2007.] With over 1,000 hypermarkets and 3,000 supermarkets projected to come up by 2011, India will need additional retail space of convert|700000000|sqft|m2|abbr=on as compared to today. Current projections on construction point to a supply of just convert|200000000|sqft|m2|abbr=on, leaving a gap of convert|500000000|sqft|m2|abbr=on that needs to be filled, at a cost of US$15-18 billion. (8)]According to the Icrier report, the retail business in India is estimated to grow at 13% from $322 billion in 2006-07 to $590 billion in 2011-12. The unorganized retail sector is expected to grow at about 10% per annum with sales expected to rise from $ 309 billion in 2006-07 to $ 496 billion in 2011-12. [" [http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Services/Retailing/Centre_consulting_states_for_setting_up_retail_regulator/articleshow/3185896.cms Centre consulting states for setting up retail regulator] ." July 2, 2008.]
The Indian Retail Market
Indian market has high complexities in terms of a wide geographic spread and distinct consumer preferences varying by each region necessitating a need for localization even within the geographic zones. India has highest number of outlets per person (7 per thousand)Indian retail space per capita at convert|2|sqft|m2|abbr=on/ person is lowest in the worldIndian retail density of 6 percent is highest in the world. (9) 1.8 million households in India have an annual income of over 45 lakh (10) Delving further into consumer buying habits, purchase decisions can be separated into two categories: status-oriented and indulgence-oriented. CTVs/LCDs, refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, microwave ovens and DVD players fall in the status category. Indulgence-oriented products include plasma TVs, state-of-the-art home theatre systems, iPods, high-end digital cameras, camcorders, and gaming consoles. Consumers in the status category buy because they need to maintain a position in their social group. Indulgence-oriented buying happens with those who want to enjoy life better with products that meet their requirements. When it comes to the festival shopping season, it is primarily the status-oriented segment that contributes largely to the retailer’s cash register. (11)
The break-up of organized retailing sales into various product categories (12)
Books, Music & Gifts: 3%Mobile Handsets: 3%Clothing & Textile: 39%Food & Grocery: 11%Consumer Durables: 9%Footwear: 9%Furniture & Furnishings: 8%Catering Services: 7%Jewellery & Watches: 7%Others: 4%
Major Indian Retailers
Indian apparel retailers are increasing their brand presence overseas, particularly in developed markets. While most have identified a gap in countries in West Asia and Africa, some majors are also looking at the US and Europe. Arvind Brands, Madura Garments, Spykar Lifestyle and Royal Classic Polo are busy chalking out foreign expansion plans through the distribution route and standalone stores as well. Another denim wear brand, Spykar, which is now moving towards becoming a casualwear lifestyle brand, has launched its store in Melbourne recently. It plans to open three stores in London by 2008-end. (13)
The low-intensity entry of the diversified Mahindra Group into retail is unique because it plans to focus on lifestyle products. The Mahindra group is the fourth large Indian business group to enter the business of retail after Reliance Industries Ltd, the Aditya Birla Group, and Bharti Enterprises Ltd. The other three groups are focusing either on perishables and groceries, or a range of products, or both. (14)
*Vivek Limited Retail Formats: Viveks, Jainsons, Viveks Service Centre, Viveks Safe Deposit Lockers
*REI AGRO LTD Retail-Formats:6TEN Hyper & 6TEN Super
*RPG Retail-Formats: Music World, Books & Beyond, Spencer’s Hyper, Spencer’s Super, Daily & Fresh
*Pantaloon Retail-Formats: Big Bazaar, Food Bazaar, Pantaloons, Central, Fashion Station, Brand Factory, Depot, aLL, E-Zone etc.
*The Tata Group-Formats: Westside, Star India Bazaar, Steeljunction, Landmark, Titan Industries with World of Titans showrooms, Tanishq outlets, Chroma.
*K Raheja Corp Group-Formats: Shoppers’ Stop, Crossword, Hyper City, Inorbit
*Lifestyle International-Lifestyle, Home Centre, Max, Fun City and International Franchise brand stores.
*Pyramid Retail-Formats: Pyramid Megastore, TruMart
*Nilgiri’s-Formats: Nilgiris’ supermarket chain
*Subhiksha-Formats: Subhiksha supermarket pharmacy and telecom discount chain.
*Trinethra- Formats: Fabmall supermarket chain and Fabcity hypermarket chain
*Vishal Retail Group-Formats: Vishal Mega Mart
*BPCL-Formats: In & Out
*Reliance Retail-Formats: Reliance Fresh
*Reliance ADAG Retail-Format: Reliance World
*German Metro Cash & Carry
*Shoprite Holdings-Formats: Shoprite Hyper
*Paritala stores bazar: honey shine stores
*Aditya Birla Group - more Outlets
Entry of MNCs
The world's largest retailer by sales, Wal-Mart Stores Inc and Sunil Mittal's Bharti Enterprises have entered into a joint venture agreement and they are planning to open 10 to 15 cash-and-carry facilities over seven years. The first of the stores, which will sell groceries, consumer appliances and fruits and vegetables to retailers and small businesses, is slated to open in north India by the end of 2008. (15)
Carrefour, the world’s second largest retailer by sales, is planning to setup two business entities in the country one for its cash-and-carry business and the other a master franchisee which will lend its banner, technical services and know how to an Indian company for direct-to-consumer retail. (16)
The world’s fifth largest retailer by sales, Costco Wholesale Corp (Costco) known for its warehouse club model is also interested in coming to India and waiting for the right opportunity. (17)
Opposition to the retailers' plans have argued that livelihoods of small scale and rural vendors would be threatened. However, studies have found that only a limited number of small vendors will be affected and that the benefits of market expansion far outweigh the impact of the new stores.(18)
Challenges
To become a truly flourishing industry, retailing needs to cross the following hurdles: (19)
*Automatic approval is not allowed for foreign investment in retail.
*Regulations restricting real estate purchases, and cumbersome local laws.
*Taxation, which favours small retail businesses.
*Absence of developed supply chain and integrated IT management.
*Lack of trained work force.
*Low skill level for retailing management.
*Intrinsic complexity of retailing – rapid price changes, constant threat of productobsolescence and low margins.
References
(8) [http://www.inrnews.com/indianrealestate/2006/11/indias_retail_revolution_begin.html Demand for retail real estate to soar]
(9) [http://www.ksa-technopak.com/pressroom/press.jsp?press_id=26&offset=10 Fashion meets tech as handsets get sleek expensive]
(10) [http://www.ksa-technopak.com/pressroom/press.jsp?press_id=33 LCD televisions, laptops are flying off the shelves.]
(11)ICICI Properties & KSA Technopak White Paper - [India Retail Real Estate – 2005-06]
(12) [http://www.ksa-technopak.com/pressroom/press.jsp?press_id=40 Foreign shores beckon Indian apparel brands]
(13) [http://www.ksa-technopak.com/pressroom/press.jsp?press_id=31 Mahindra joins the retail bandwagon, to sell lifestyle products]
(14) [http://www.bharti.com/48.html?&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=218&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=116&cHash=4239949416 Bharti & Wal-Mart joint venture]
(15) [http://www.indiaenews.com/business/20071120/81698.htm Carrerfour readies plan to enter India’sr etail industry]
(16) [http://indiaretailbiz.wordpress.com/category/retail-news/ Costco, US’s fifth biggest, eyeing India?]
(17) [http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/07/09/100122335/index.htm India's Retail Revolution - CNN Money]
(18) [http://www.ibef.org/attachdisplay.aspx?cat_id=375&art_id=4165 Retail Scenario in India]
