The Hindu Business Line : Organised retail

Small unorganised retailers and trade intermediaries have, perhaps, reasons for opposing the entry of organised retailers, despite the role played by the latter in improving supply chains and marketability of farmer produce with better prices and enhanced employment opportunities. This will, however, affect the living of the small unorganised retailers.

The poor and middle-class consumers will lose the benefit of buying from small retailers, who supply the needed goods and services at the doorstep , often extending credit facilities.

These are beyond the scope of the shopping malls and super-markets. Of course, farmers can easily market their produce with the organised chains; yet nobody can ignore the latter’s attitude of establishing ‘monopoly buying’ in course of time.

It is the responsibility of the Central and State governments to resurrect the moribund agriculture sector. Organised retailers are not its saviour.

The flourishing organised retail market will fill up the coffers of a few and erode the bonds of the poor and middle-class of society with the small retailers.

Yet, the controlled entry of the organised retail may satisfy the needs of those with higher disposable income.

N. R. Nagarajan Virudhuangar (TN)