Retailers urged to focus on national market

Several retail players in south India are on the verge of becoming national retailers, according to Bijou Kurien, former president of Lifestyle at Reliance Retail.

Advantages

He said at the Kongu Retail Summit – 2014, organised here on Tuesday by Retailers’ Association of India (RAI), that south India has significant advantages, such as higher literacy and educational levels. Though 25 per cent of the country’s population is in the south, it has 30 per cent of the retail market. Traditionally, southern States are seen as risk averse. However, there have been several first initiatives in the retail sector from here – expanding to overseas markets, opening up a shopping mall, etc. Modern retail was born here.

The retailers in the south who focused largely on the regional market should now expand their focus to the national level. They should accommodate in their business newer channels of sale and the aspirations of the younger generation. The sector here is on the verge of becoming national retailers, he said.

The RAI is creating a database of service providers, said Kumar Rajagopalan, chief executive officer of the association.

The one-day event included panels discussions on professional outlook in family-run retail business, the art and science of retailing occasion wear in the south, realty facts in the emerging cities for retail, and leveraging technology. Consultants and retailers participated in the discussions. A book on “Power Retailers of south India” was also launched. The Hindu was the media partner for the event.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Coimbatore / by Special Correspondent / Coimbatore – March 19th, 2014