The Hindu Business Line : Reality check on retailing

THAT modern retailing has made shopping experience a part of pop culture in metropolitan India is undeniable. However, the Mumbai-based Centre for Change Management plans to do a reality check on modern retailing by organising a seminar here on November 26 and 27.

India Retail Summit, the two-day seminar, will be an eye-opener on various aspects of modern day retailing such as marketing of a retail brand, India-centric model for food and grocery retailing, imperatives of operational efficiencies in retailing, a study on FDI in retail and brand management in retailing.

"The challenge for most retail players would be organising the supply chain, besides continuing with their value-added offerings. The supplier base in India today is too unorganised," said Mr B.S. Nagesh, Managing Director and CEO, Shoppers Stop, who would be participating at the seminar and will make an inaugural speech.

While necessary infrastructure and tax policies is critical to the growth of organised retailing, adopting the right marketing strategies would be vital for retail success as in the case of Arvind Mills, which had tied up with Big Bazaar chain of stores to sell its Ruf & Tuff brand of jeans.

The seminar will also cover issues involved in marketing retail brand in fashion and specialties. The speakers include Mr Govind Mirchandani, President, Reid & Taylor, Mr Harish Bhat, COO, Tanishq, Mr Darshan Mehta, President, Arvind Brands, Mr Shrikant Velu, GM - Retail Operations, Vimal, Mr Aniruddha Deshmukh, President, Raymond Retail and Mr Raghu Pillai, President - Retail, RPG Enterprises.

FDI in retail is another area that concerns most players, except the biggies who think otherwise. Recently, many home textile players boarded the retail bandwagon following an understated threat from the likes of Wal-Mart and Marks & Spencer setting up shop here.

"Organised retail in India is just two per cent of the total retailing, and has enough place to accommodate foreign players. Competition will get tougher once it reaches 25 per cent, which still gives Indian players enough time to consolidate their position," said Mr Nagesh.