Organized Retail in India

Book excerpt: Organized retail in India is a decade or so old phenomenon. During the last ten or twelve years, it has progressed well. At the same time, it is facing many problems, challenges, difficulties some are general and others are India specific. The objective of this book is to analyze these problems and discuss future prospects of this sector in India. In addition to problems and prospects, some other important related aspects of organized retailing in India such as politics and organized retail, use of latest technology in organized retail, the impact of organized retail on the Indian economy and unorganized sector, foreign direct investment in organized retail, job and career opportunities in organized retail in India are also included in this work. Broadly, there are six categories of chapters. In the first political and technical category come two chapters that deal with some important and hitherto untouched aspects of organized retail in India such as politics and technology. In the second category are seven chapters on the growth of modern and organized retail in India, its changing faces, its impact on the Indian economy. The third category consists of two chapters that deal with the impact of organized retail on unorganized retail in India. The fourth category also has two chapters on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the organized retail sector in India. Career and job opportunities are the theme of the next two chapters that come under the fifth category. In the sixth and last category are five chapters that explain problems and challenges faced by the organized retail and future prospects of this sector in India. Retailing or retail management is now found a place in the syllabi of MBA programs. Many universities and colleges have initiated new courses in retailing at different levels. Some have started separate and specialized MBA in Retail Management. Pass outs of these programs and courses are providing manpower and human resources to upcoming organized retail outlets like malls, hypermarkets, stores, etc. In other words, the organized retail sector is providing new job and career opportunities to young people. Retailing is emerging a useful and contemporary discipline in Commerce and Management faculties. But one finds a very limited number of books on the organized retail sector in India. The present compendium endeavors to fill this gap. It is hoped that this book will be very useful to the corporate sector involved in the emerging organized retail industry; executives, managers and employees of malls and stores; faculty of educational institutions involved in teaching and students of this new discipline.