THANJAVUR: Modernising retail, improving customer service and simplification of licences are the need of the hour to protect the retailers in the country said Kumar Rajagopalan, Chief Executive Officer, Retailers Association of India (RAI) here on Monday.
He told presspersons that technology is dramatically changing the retail landscape of the country. On one hand, there is huge opportunity and on the other hand there is stiff competition. The RAI has taken up the issues of retailers with both central and state governments, he said.
At the national level, Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has proposed to formulate a national retail policy for support and growth of domestic trade. This proposal is part of 100 day action plan prepared by the department under the Commerce and Industry ministry.
At the state level, already four states -Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Karnataka- in the country have launched policies for benefit of retail business and have experienced positive results as the policies address several issues that are important for retail business. Tamil Nadu government has also been approached by RAI to forumulate a state policy for retailers. “The recent permission by state government to run shops 24/7 is a welcome move as it would enhance employment and trade. But protection should be given to women,” Rajagopalan said.
Later, he addressed a retailers’ meet to deliberate on harnessing retail potential of the region in which 200 retailers participated. The meeting was organised by Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Thanjavur. Speaking at the meeting, Dr S.P.S. Aruldas, President of the chamber said that retail has been an important cog in the wheel of Thanjavur’s commerce and Industry. It has been an important part of Thanjavur’s identity since hundreds of years. However, it is time for retailers in the region to up their game.
“That is why chamber organised this meeting in collaboration with RAI,” he said. Mr. A. Annamalai, secretary of chamber, participated in the meeting.
