India-reports.com

India Reports’ Weekly Retail News Updates states that retailers seek to lower real estate rentals

www.india-reports.com, the website that provides the most relevant and upto date information on India and doing business in India is offering a Weekly Retail News Update  on the retail sector which captures latest news, trends, events and happenings in the retail sector.

The latest news update talks about how retailers are closing down unprofitable outlets and renegotiating rentals in a bid to deal with shrinking demand and high costs. Retailers are seeing real estate as blocked funds and are seeking to unlock this resource. DLF, meanwhile, has plans to invest in building more luxury retail malls and tie-ups with leading international brands.     

India Reports which has been closely monitoring the retail industry over the past few years, and has built retail expertise and a range of products. Armed with these, the retailer would be able to make informed decisions and more importantly to stay tuned into the Retail Sector in India.

You can stay tuned into the Indian retail sector through these weekly updates, to know more visit http://www.india-reports.com/retail-weekly/index-wkly-retail-news.aspx

India Reports’ Weekly Retail News Updates – Mall space at zero rentals, developers having to foot fixtures bill

India Reports’ provides weekly retail news updates on the retail sector which captures latest news, trends, events and happenings in the Indian Retail Sector.

The latest news update talks about how oversupply in retail space, particularly in malls has resulted in a bonanza for retailers. With shrinking demand for mall space, mall developers have to contend with meeting fixtures expenditure as well as sign up anchor tenants at zero rentals. Apparel retail is seeing some positive movement, with women and kids wear bearing the slowdown well.     

India Reports which has been closely monitoring the retail industry over the past few years, and has built retail expertise and a range of products. Armed with these, the retailer would be able to make informed decisions and more importantly to stay tuned into the Retail Sector in India.

You can stay tuned into the Indian retail sector through these weekly updates, to know more visit http://www.india-reports.com/retail-weekly/index-wkly-retail-news.aspx

Reliance Fresh stores- consumer reports from cities

An increasing number of people are writing to us about Reliance Fresh retail stores.

It is indicative of the reach of the retail chain network as also the concerns of the consumer.

Old vegetables, poor customer service, store mismanagement, lack of parking space are some of the common complaints by consumers.

Read consumer reports on Reliance Fresh at Chennai, Mumbai, Mohali, Bangalore and Pune

Are you being served?

There are retail stores at every street corner in town. Retail jobs have changed the employment landscape. Young boys and girls have been employed to assist customers.

But are they really able to help customers?

In most cases, the results are disappointing. The poor quality of shop floor assistants, rude behavior and total indifferent attitude will cost companies. Retail stores will see poor numbers unless they improve customer service and have informed manpower.

This is where Kirana stores and local players will beat them. I am sure they provide better customer service and home delivery options.

Retailing organic food

There is a gradual revival of the organic food and home grown cooking trends. The slow food movement is 'slowly' catching on. A reflection of this is the subtle lifestyle changes as people become eco sensitive.

Organic products have found small places on retail shelves in Indian stores. Many retail chains are allocating nearly 2%- 5% of the retail space for organic products as consumers have become more health and ecology conscious.

Some players in organic retail in India include the Khadi Gramudyog, Navdanya, Greenway, Namdharis, Nature’s Basket, Organic India, Satvic, Sresta,IITC Organic and Fab India

But how many products are actually organic?
Is there any certification?

Do year round discounts on well-known brands affect regular sales?

Branded products, especially footwear and apparel, are offered year round on sale in some select outlets (factory outlets, megamarts etc).

Experts suggest that year-round sales will affect regular sales, while the retailers say that it does not.

What is your take on this trend?

System inefficiencies at retail stores and hospitals

The retail and healthcare boom is happening but inefficiencies are high due to poorly trained manpower.

You shop at a store in 10 minutes flat because you have your list ready and time is short but when you reach the billing counter it takes 10 minutes in the queue- because the team working there is slow and on the learning curve.

A similar experience at my visit to Columbia Asia hospital- the appointment with the doctor is scheduled before hand and the consultation is quick. When you want to buy the prescribed medicine at their drug store, you are waiting for 20 odd minutes or more. Similar is the wait at the billing counter.

One of the critical factors for success of medical tourism and retailing will be the quality and efficiency of manpower deployed for support services.

Ready-to-eat exporters look homeward for new markets

Indian food has a huge market overseas. Suddenly, thanks to the rising rupee, lifestyle changes, rising disposable incomes and the growth of organized retail, there is a sizable ready-to-eat market in India too.

Several small to mid-sized exporters, hit hard by the appreciating rupee, have started supplying to the Indian retail chains as well – a task that is not as easy as it sounds. Poor storage and cold chain facilities make the going tough. The Government is apparently doing its bit to boost the movement – plans include 53 food parks, where these SMEs can share capital intensive facilities and a drop in customs duty on packaging machines.

India-Reports Special : Luxury and Lifestyle Retail in India

Indian consumers are a happy lot, with so much activity on to woo them. Companies are vying to design, develop and deliver the products and services their consumers want. One segment that has suddenly come into focus is luxury and lifestyle retail.

View it against a backdrop of traditional Indian thrift, and you will see why the interest it is garnering is grabbing more eyeballs than other retail segments.

The September issue of India Reports retailewsletter presents a special report

Events: India Retail Forum 2007

Organized retailing in India is projected to grow at the rate of about 37 per cent in 2007 and 42 per cent in 2008. It has the potential to add over INR 2,000 billion ($45 billion) business by the Year 2010.

The India Retail Forum meets at Mumbai in September 2007.

Chillibreeze Profile

Here is a good place to post profiles of interesting Indian start-ups.