Some of the factors responsible for the growth of organised retailing are as under:
1. Growth of middle class consumers:
In India the number of middle class consumer is growing rapidly. With rising consumer demand and greater disposable income has given opportunity of retail industry to grow and prosper.
They expect quality products at decent prices. Modern retailers offer a wide range of products and value added services to the customers. Hence this has resulted into growth of organised retailing in India.
Growing consumerism would be a key driver for organized retail in India. Rising incomes and improvements in infrastructure are enlarging consumer markets and accelerating the convergence (meeting) of consumer tastes.
2. Increase in the number of working women:
Today the urban women are literate and qualified. They have to maintain a balance between home and work. The purchasing habit of the working women is different from the home maker.
They do not have sufficient time for leisure and they expect everything under one roof. They prefer one-stop shopping Modern retail outlets therefore offers one store retailing.
3. Value for money:
Oganised retail deals in high volume and are able to enjoy economies of large scale production and distribution. They eliminate intermediaries in distribution channel.
Organised retailers offer quality products at reasonable prices. Example: Big Bazaar and Subhiksha. Opportunity for profit attracts more and more new business groups for entering in to this sector.
4. Emerging rural market:
Today the rural market in India is facing stiff competition in retail sector also. The rural market in India is fast emerging as the rural consumers are becoming quality conscious.
Thus due to huge potential in rural retailing organised retailers are developing new products and strategies to satisfy and serve rural customers. In India, Retail industry is proving the country’s largest source of employment after agriculture, which has the deepest penetration into rural India.
5. Entry of corporate sector:
Large business tycoons such as Tata’s, Birla’s, and Reliance etc. have entered the retail sector. They are in a position to provide quality products and entertainment.
As the corporate – the Piramals, the Tatas, the Rahejas, ITC, S.Kumar’s, RPG Enterprises, and mega retailers- Crosswords, Shopper’s Stop, and Pantaloons race to revolutionize the retailing sector.
6. Entry of foreign retailers:
Indian retail sector is catching the interest of foreign retailers. Due to liberalisation multinationals have entered out country through joint ventures and franchising. This further is responsible for boosting organised retailing.
7. Technological impact:
Technology is one of the dynamic factors responsible for the growth of organised retailing. Introduction of computerization, electronic media and marketing information system have changed the face of retailing. Organized retailing in India has a huge scope because of the vast market and the growing consciousness of the consumer about product quality and services.
One of the major technological innovations in organised retailing has been the introduction of Bar Codes. With the increasing use of technology and innovation retailers are selling their products online with the help of Internet.
8. Rise in income:
Increase in the literacy level has resulted into growth of income among the population. Such growth has taken place not only in the cities but also in towns and remote areas.
As a result the increase in income has led to increase in demand for better quality consumer goods. Rising income levels and education have contributed to the evolution of new retail structure. Today, people are willing to try new things and look different, which has increased spending habits among consumer.
9. Media explosion:
There has been an explosion in media due to satellite television and internet. Indian consumers are exposed to the lifestyle of countries. Their expectations for quality products have risen and they are demanding more choice and money value services and conveniences.
10. Rise of consumerism:
With the emergence of consumerism, the retailer faces a more knowledgeable and demanding consumer. As the business exist to satisfy consumer needs, the growing consumer expectation has forced the retail organizations to change their format of retail trade. Consumer demand, convenience, comfort, time, location etc. are the important factors for the growth of organised retailing in India.
The retail industry is divided into organised and un-organised sectors. Organised retailing refers to trading activities undertaken by licensed retailers, that is, those who are registered for sales tax, income tax, etc.
These include the corporate-backed hypermarkets and retail chains, and also the privately owned large retail businesses. Un-organised retailing, on the other hand, refers to the traditional formats of low-cost retailing, for example, the local kirana shops, owner manned general stores, paan/beedi shops, convenience stores, hand cart and pavement vendors.
It is important to understand how retailing works in our economy, and what role it plays in the lives of its citizens, from a social as well as an economic perspective. India still predominantly houses the traditional formats of retailing, that is, the local kirana shop, paan/beedi shop, hardware stores, weekly haats, convenience stores, and bazaars, which together form the bulk.
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