Discussion Paper about FDI in Multi Brand Retail

In April 26th DIPP had announced (as reported in the press) that the discussion paper would be released and discussions would start next month. Promptly the next day the Commerce Minister categorically states that the government is currently not working on the possibility of FDI in Retail. This changing stance seems to find an echo in the paper even after it has been finally released. To quote a point stated right at the start of the note “The views expressed in this discussion paper should not be construed as the views of the government. The department hopes to generate informed discussion on the subject, so as to enable the Government to take an appropriate policy decision at the appropriate time”.

DIPP is a department of the Commerce Ministry. This is a detailed discussion note prepared by this department and quotes several facts, figures and refers to several research and studies done including one by a Parliamentary standing committee. Yet, it starts by absolving any Government perspective to the note. In light of this, how seriously can anyone take this note? Is it yet another document put together for the want of anything else to do?

A detailed perspective about this was published in "The Hindu Business Line"  today.  Look forward to your feedback and views.

Unleashing the Human Resource Potential in Retail

Coincidentally on the same day of my critique of the DIPP discussion note an exhaustive article of mine was carried in the “Brand Line” which is a supplement of “Business Line”.

Apart from detailing how Retail can harness India’s Human Resource potential, the article talks about how the same can have a significant impact on the Indian Economy. In a context where Retail is already amongst one of the largest employers in India contrasted with the reality that the majority of people employed would not even be paid minimum wages, Industry status is the most pressing need for Indian Retail.

The full article can be read online at Brand Line. 

"The INDIAN reTALEs" launch event pictures

The book launch event went off very well thanks to the presence of all the well wishers. After the book was formally released by Mr. P K Mohapatra and he spoke about the book and Indian Retail, the forum was thrown open for questions.

Very interestingly there followed a spirited and informed Q&A about Indian Retail, Kirana's and formats which would work in India. I was surprised and impressed by this participation and this is an endorsement of my view that "The INDIAN reTALEs" is a book for every one's reading. Looking forward to reader responses, feedback and queries, which I would like to post on this blog and share with all of you. Last but not the least, a special thanks to the Landmark team who made this event possible.

I am happy to share that "The INDIAN reTALEs" is off to a decent start and a big thanks to all of you who have supported this book by purchasing it and spreading the word about it. A formal book launch event is being planned for the book and I would like to invite you and your friends for the same if you are in Chennai.

Can Retail succeed where politics and diplomacy seems to be stuck?

The North Eastern part of our country has never been the center stage whether it was in terms of politics or commerce. In fact people from the North East have migrated to other parts of India and are slowly becoming a dominant factor in the Retail work force as per a recent media report.

It is in this region that our brotherly neighbor who was till recently our bhai bhai, started playing visa games by issuing a visa on separate pieces of paper under the pretext that the visa is actually an internal travel document and not a visa. In that context, it would do well for anyone who thinks of this as a supportive gesture that, in India, one can travel anywhere without any such “internal travel document”. Anyone can wake up tomorrow and book tickets to go to Leh or Kanya Kumari or Porbandar or Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh. That’s India and one of the many reasons why I am proud to be an Indian.

Anyways, let’s get back to the topic at hand.

I have been reading about how our friendly neighbor has been insisting that a large portion of the north eastern area is actually not a part of India!!!

A few days ago I read a report in Business Line dated 12/5/10 that retail outlets such as Arrow, Titan, Big Bazaar, etc., are making a beeline for this region. When a few Retailers go, others can’t be far behind.

So, will India do a repeat of the East India Company in reverse? Will Indian Retailers establish such a strong presence and more importantly a consumer base, that our friendly neighbor’s claims are no longer tenable?

I think this is possible and my Retail brethren should prove me right by opening as many stores as possible in the “7 Sister states” as possible to create a vast customer base, who are a part of the larger Indian Customer base.

Last, but not the least is the reality of economic growth that Retail will bring to this region and bind it to India forever. And in that context, the Government of India should encourage any Retailer who is ready to take this step without turning a blind eye to the same.

Jai Hind.

Mobile Independence

Yesterday while coming out of a forecourt retail outlet in a petrol pump, I saw this very interesting and impressive sight. A mobile Coffee and Tea vending person.

What is so great about it, when cyclists with a stainless steel insulated jar abound in India shouting out Chai or Kapi, depending on the region.

Well for one was the design of this vehicle which is best seen rather than described and is as below. More importantly is the person, Mr. Shanmugam who is a physically challenged person. Instead of moaning and cribbing about his fate this person has taken up an interesting vocation and has been at it for the last 15 years. Recently he also got married and lets all wish him a great life ahead.

He typically sells Coffee and Tea and has a few biscuits/ cookies on the tray (mounted over the front handle) as value add for the customers.

The sight of him reminded me of my idea/ dream/ vision of a mobile and different retail format and I have suggested that he expand his assortment to simple things like recharge cards, etc.

He was quite excited about the idea while also expressing apprehension that there were many elements on the street who prey on people like him. They typically take things free under the pretext of taking credit and then never pay up.

Any ideas on how such a menace can be handled by mobile Retailers?

Vagaries of Indian Supply Chain

Sometime ago I had posted a picture of a truck with agri produce being transported on a barge across a river. Yesterday I happened to see this picture of camels transporting water melons. This brings to fore the point I have made in “The INDIAN reTALEs” about Indian Retail and SCM being a unique animal (pun intended w.r.t the camel) and needs to be understood well to be managed.

Imagine trying to apply international best practices like fleet optimization to this herd of camels, you will get the idea!!

Photo Courtesy: The Hindu

What an Awesome feeling!

For the past few days I have been like an expectant mother, jumping at every feedback about the book being available or not available at stores. I sent mails and SMSes to the Publishers pestering them about why the stocks have not reached the stores. Being in Retail and the becoming an author, is a bit like a Doctor going for some treatment. Such a person would want to know everything, second the other Doctor and so on.

So it was with me. Calling all my friends at the various book chains to enquire why the book is not available yet; to be told that orders have been placed and then hassle the publisher about why the stocks have not been sent.

My loving friends unknowingly fuelled this frenzy by reporting back whenever they went to one of the stores and saying that the book was not yet available.

So, you can imagine my absolute delight when one of my friends called me yesterday morning to say that the Book has been sighted at the Landmark store at Chennai and another friend posted on FB that he has picked it up from a Landmark store in Mumbai.

Today morning I went over to the store for some cheap thrills. Had pictures taken of me next to the book on display and all that. It was an awesome and memorable moment.

Coincidentally, May 9th is the Anniversary of RPG Foodworld as the first store at R A Puram in Chennai was opened on this date back in 1996. We had a reunion get together of the old veterans yesterday followed by a few of us visiting the store today morning to wish the staff and participated in the cake cutting ceremony.

It seemed only right that “The INDIAN reTALEs” has finally hit the shelves during this time of the year.

Please look out for the book when you visit a book store next and spread the word about “The INDIAN reTALEs” amongst all your friends and contacts.