RETAILING IN INDIA

The retailing industry has been present in our country through history and is considered as one of the largest sectors in the Indian economy, contributing to around 14% to the GDP, and employing around 7% of the total population.. For decades, retailing in India has been highly fragmented, i.e., unorganized, due to the presence of huge number of small mom-n-pop stores. As per Images F&R Research 'India Retail Report 2007', organized retailing in India accounts for 4.6% (Rs. 55,000 Crores or $ 12.4 Billion) of Rs. 120,000 Crores or $ 270 Billion retail market with an expected 40% plus annual growth rate, and is expected to grow to Rs. 2,00,000 Crores, i.e., $ 45 Billion by 2010. During the period 2005- 2006, the leading retailers' sales growth was 50-100%.