Retail FDI

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/guest-writer/time-to-accelerate-proactive-measures-in-retail-sector/articleshow/18620087.cms

Inappropriate solutions, formats that are too easily "copy-pasted" from other markets and an impatience to see returns lead many of them to struggle. (One can't help thinking back to the start of the East India Co in India and our rulers at that time who may have felt that allowing it to come in was a good idea — that it would help commerce, the economy and themselves. As they say, "beware of what you wish for, you might just get it!")

Well the first question to ask is, "What is good for us?" I would venture to say that a retail sector that is contributing to our national happiness is one that (a) provides good access, choice and service to its customers, (b) is efficient and promotes efficiency in the supply chain, (c) supports employment, (d) builds our national capability and, therefore, (e) is dynamic and sustainable. Opening up the sector to FDI promotes the first and second objectives, and that's why it was important to do it.

This writer has argued earlier that there is a strong case for setting up a national cooperative of small retailers and kiranas, much like the National Dairy Cooperative that was set up by the legendary Dr Verghese Kurien. There is potentially a workable business model here. With some support from the government, such a cooperative enterprise can profitably ensure that small retailers enjoy the benefits of big, modern retailers like consolidated buying power, supply chain efficiency, access to better technology, processes and systems and training.

Rama Bijapurkar - Next generation of kiranawalas do not want to continue their family business. Phases - xerox, std booths etc have come and gone

Retail is science & art. We know the art, now time to learn the science