Retail Future in India

 The Indian retail sector is ready to take on challenges from global retail players such as Wal-mart and Carrefour because unlike them, they have a better understanding of the Indian consumer’s psyche. Ultimately, a successful retailer is one who understands his customer.The Indian customer is looking for an emotional connection, a sense of belonging. Hence, to be successful any retail outlet has to be localised. The customer should feel that it is a part of his culture, his perceived values, and does not try to impose alien values or concepts on him. Indian customer is not keen to buy something just because it is sold by an international company. Ultimately, it boils down to how much localisation and adaptation the company is willing to do for India. Other than tremendous money power, global companies have nothing extra or special that the Indian retail business does not have.We live in exciting times. Only two percent of India’s retail market is organised. The future shows tremendous potential for growth in the retail sector. Almost all large companies worldwide are looking to establish a base or stake in the Indian market. In this scenario, the Indian retail sector itself must seize the initiative to realise the dreams of contributing to a prosperous and booming economy. The focus should be on the Indian horizon before looking for retail opportunities in other countries because India itself is a big retail market.In the near future India will see a phenomenal growth of shopping malls and speciality retail stores. The speciality stores will cater for home, electronics, furniture, watches, sunglasses and assorted items. There will be more fashion stores for youth. Speciality retail stores and malls are the future of Indian retail market.

The Indian retail sector is ready to take on challenges from global retail players such as Wal-mart and Carrefour because unlike them, they have a better understanding of the Indian consumer’s psyche. Ultimately, a successful retailer is one who understands his customer.The Indian customer is looking for an emotional connection, a sense of belonging. Hence, to be successful any retail outlet has to be localised. The customer should feel that it is a part of his culture, his perceived values, and does not try to impose alien values or concepts on him. Indian customer is not keen to buy something just because it is sold by an international company. Ultimately, it boils down to how much localisation and adaptation the company is willing to do for India. Other than tremendous money power, global companies have nothing extra or special that the Indian retail business does not have.We live in exciting times. Only two percent of India’s retail market is organised. The future shows tremendous potential for growth in the retail sector. Almost all large companies worldwide are looking to establish a base or stake in the Indian market. In this scenario, the Indian retail sector itself must seize the initiative to realise the dreams of contributing to a prosperous and booming economy. The focus should be on the Indian horizon before looking for retail opportunities in other countries because India itself is a big retail market.In the near future India will see a phenomenal growth of shopping malls and speciality retail stores. The speciality stores will cater for home, electronics, furniture, watches, sunglasses and assorted items. There will be more fashion stores for youth. Speciality retail stores and malls are the future of Indian retail market.