The Hindu Business Line : ‘Supply chain management vital for retail sector’

Supply chain management is crucial for the Indian retail sector, as millions of small producers and small farmers in the rural sector should be included in the system, according to Mr N.V Ramana, Group CEO of Basix India Ltd (Hyderabad).

At the inaugural session of the one-day seminar on supply chain management organised by the Ambedkar Institute of Management Studies here, he said a number of major retail chains such as Wal-Mart were entering the Indian retail market, but it should be realised that “the Indian market is qualitatively different from the western ones. There, the rural sector hardly accounts for less than five per cent or so. In India, the rural market accounts for 65 per cent and the small producers (farmers) with an average holding size of less than two hectares will have to be taken into account. That is the real challenge”.

‘Key enabler’

Prof Narendra K. Rustagi, of the Howard University, Washington DC, said in his key-note address that the point raised by Mr Ramana was critical and crucial, “but innovative ways can be found even in the Indian situation to reach out to the rural market by employing IT. ”

Other uses

Vice-Admiral Mr Raman P. Suthan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, who was the chief guest, said the ENC would have to procure equipment worth Rs 700 crore to keep 66 ships/submarines under its control in good operational readiness. “We procure 400 types of spares and equipment from as many as 16 countries and supply chain management is therefore crucial to the Navy for cost-cutting and efficiency. We look forward to co-operate with business schools in this respect,” he said.

In his theme paper, Prof C. Suryanarayana, Director of the Institute, explained how supply management system could be used for creating market advantage and cost-cutting. Mr M.V. Ananthakrishna, Executive Director of M.K. Raju Consultants Private Ltd, Chennai, also spoke.

More Stories on : Retailing | Supply Chain Management | Andhra Pradesh

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