Retail Industry in India

Introduction

Indian retail industry has emerged as one of the most dynamic and fast-paced industries due to the entry of several new players. Total consumption expenditure is expected to reach nearly US$ 3,600 billion by 2020 from US$ 1,824 billion in 2017. It accounts for over 10 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and around eight per cent of the employment. India is the world’s fifth-largest global destination in the retail space.

India ranked 73 in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's Business-to-Consumer (B2C) E-commerce Index 2019. India is the world’s fifth largest global destination in the retail space and ranked 63 in World Bank’s Doing Business 2019.

India is the world’s fifth largest global destination in the retail space. In FDI Confidence Index, India ranked 16 (after US, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, China, Japan, France, Australia, Switzerland, and Italy).

Market Size

Retail industry reached US$ 950 billion in 2018 at CAGR of 13 per cent and is expected to reach US$ 1.1 trillion by 2020. Online retail sales were forecast to grow 31 per cent y-o-y to reach US$ 32.70 billion in 2018. Revenue generated from online retail is projected to reach US$ 60 billion by 2020.

Revenue of India’s offline retailers, also known as brick and mortar (B&M) retailers, is expected to increase by Rs 10,000-12,000 crore (US$ 1.39-2.77 billion) in FY20.

India is expected to become the world’s fastest growing E-commerce market, driven by robust investment in the sector and rapid increase in the number of internet users. Various agencies have high expectations about growth of India’s E-commerce market.

Investment Scenario

The Indian retail trading has received Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) equity inflow totalling US$ 2.12 billion during April 2000–March 2020 according to Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

With the rising need for consumer goods in different sectors including consumer electronics and home appliances, many companies have invested in the Indian retail space in the past few months.

India’s retail sector attracted US$ 970 million from various private equity funds in 2019.

Walmart Investments Cooperative U.A invested Rs 2.75 billion (US$ 37.68 million) in Wal-Mart India Pvt Ltd.

Government Initiatives

The Government of India has taken various initiatives to improve the retail industry in India. Some of them are listed below:

• Government may change Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) rules in food processing in a bid to permit E-commerce companies and foreign retailers to sell Made in India consumer products.
• Government of India has allowed 100 per cent FDI in online retail of goods and services through the automatic route, thereby providing clarity on the existing businesses of E-commerce companies operating in India.

Road Ahead

E-commerce is expanding steadily in the country. Customers have the ever-increasing choice of products at the lowest rates. E-commerce is probably creating the biggest revolution in retail industry, and this trend is likely to continue in the years to come. Retailers should leverage digital retail channels (E-commerce), which would enable them to spend less money on real estate while reaching out to more customers in tier II and tierIII cities.

It is projected that by 2021, traditional retail will hold a major share of 75 per cent, organised retail share will reach 18 per cent and E-commerce retail share will reach 7 per cent of the total retail market.

Nevertheless, long-term outlook for the industry looks positive, supported by rising income, favourable demographics, entry of foreign players, and increasing urbanisation.

Note: Conversion rate used in April 2020, Rs 1 = US$ 0.013123

References: Media Reports, Press Releases, Deloitte report, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion website, Union Budget 2019–20, Consumer Leads report by FICCI and Deloitte - October 2019

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.