Tuesday, March 11, 2008

THE RETAIL BOOM........ANY JUSTIFICATIONS?






India tops the AT Kearney's annual Global Retail Development Index (GRDI) for the third consecutive year, maintaining its position as the most attractive market for retail investment.

The Indian retail market, which is the fifth largest retail destination globally, according to industry estimates is estimated to grow from the US$ 330 billion in 2007 to US$ 427 billion by 2010 and $637 billion by 2015. Simultaneously, modern retail which presently accounts for 4 per cent of the total market is likely to increase its share to 22 per cent by 2010.

India has one of the largest number of retail outlets in the world. Of the 12 million retail outlets present in the country, nearly 5 million sell food and related products. Even with this large number of outlets, organised retail accounts for only 4 per cent of the total market, opening huge growth potential in this segment.

Retail space

Driven by changing lifestyles, strong income growth and favourable demographic patterns, Indian retail is expanding at a rapid pace. Mall space, from a meagre one million square feet in 2002, is expected to touch 40 million square feet by end-2007 and an estimated 60 million square feet by end-2008, says Jones Lang LaSalle's third annual Retailer Sentiment Survey-Asia.

Alongside, Indian cities are witnessing a paradigm shift from traditional forms of retailing into a modern organized sector. A report by Images Retail estimates the number of operational malls to more than double to over 412 with 205 million square feet by 2010 and further 715 malls by 2015, on the back of major retail developments even in tier II and tier III cities in India.

Luxury retail

With consumers for luxury goods more in numbers than adult population of several countries, the Indian luxury retail market is estimated to leap-frog from around US$ 3.5 billion to US$ 30 billion by 2015, according to a survey done by AT Kearney. India's luxury market, estimated to be the 12th largest in the world, has been growing at the rate of 25 per cent per annum.

Already Indians splurge US$ 2.9 billion on luxury assets, spend another US$ 953 million on luxury services and top it by buying luxury goods worth US$ 377 million. And with a rapidly expanding population of high net worth individuals, India could emerge as the next hub for luxury goods consumption.

Consequently, a number of foreign brands including French Connection, Sanrio of Hello Kitty fame, Jimmy Choo, La Pearla and Calvin Klein among others have already lined up for permission to infuse foreign direct investment through the single-brand retail window.

Kids' retail

When it comes to Indian children, retailers are busy bonding -- and branding:

Monalisa, the Versace of kids, is coming to India.
International brand Zapp tied up with Raymond to foray into kids' apparel.
Disney launched exclusive chains which stock character-based stationery.
Pantaloon's joint venture with Gini & Jony will set up a retail chain to market kids' apparel.
Swiss kidswear brand Milou is collaborating with Tirupur-based Sreeja Hosieries.
French furniture brand Gautier is all set to hit the Indian retail market by the end of the year with a comprehensive range of furniture for children and infants.
The UK based retail chain, Marks & Spencer, is launching its kids' wear categories in India.
Leading the kids' retail revolution is the apparel business, which accounts for almost 80 per cent of the revenue, with kids' clothing in India following international fashion trends. According to research firm KSA Technopak, the branded segment comprises US$ 701.7 million of the total kids' apparel market-size of over US$ 3 billion. Industry experts say kids' retailing will touch annual growth of 30-35 per cent.

Discount Malls

Even as the organized retail market is starting to take off, there has been a concomitant surge in branded discount outlets in India. Top realtors and local retail chains are developing malls in regional boroughs, specifically to sell premium branded goods. At least 50 such malls are to come up in the next two years across the country positioned in the middle-to-the-premium end of the market.

For example, Royal Palms is developing Orchard Road Mall in the western suburbs of Mumbai. Similarly, Akruti Nirman, which is planning to brand its discount malls in Kanjurmag, Ghatkopar, Mumbai and Thane as 'Cityworld', has decided to develop similar malls in Tier II and Tier III cities. Some of the other prominent discount retailers include Pantaloon Retail (India) Ltd's Brand Factory, Arvind Mills Ltd's Megamart andand Provogue (India) Ltd's Promart among others.

E-tailing

The increase in the PC and internet penetration along with the growing preference of Indian consumers to shop online has given a tremendous boost to e-tailing-the online version of retail shopping. An estimated 10 per cent of the total e-commerce market is accounted by e-tailing.

With today's, net-savvy Indians making online purchases like never before, both the number and variety of products sold online has grown exponentially. According to the Indian Marketing Research Bureau (IMRB) and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), the e-tail market is estimated to grow by 30 per cent to US$ 273.02 million in 2007-08, from US$ 210.01 million in 2006-07.


Retail Franchising

Along with e-tailing another perceptible trend in the growth of organized retail market has been the concept of retail franchising. According to industry estimates, retail franchising has been growing at the rate of 60 per cent in the last three years and is set to grow two-fold in the next five years.

A number of companies have been taking this route driven mainly by the need to meet the increasing consumer expectations of quality, ambience and brand experience. In addition, this route also helps the big retailer players to rapidly foray into the tier II and III towns and rural areas.

Rural retail

Led by the rising purchasing power, changing consumption patterns, increased access to information and communication technology and improving infrastructure, rural retail market is estimated to cross US$ 45.32 billion mark by 2010 and US$ 60.43 billion by 2015, says a study by CII and YES BANK.

Consequently, Corporate India is already firming up concrete plans to tap the rural retail market, which is growing at double the rate of urban markets, with innovative schemes and human resource policies. And with 87 per cent of rural markets not having access to any sort of organised marketing and distribution, this segment has tremendous potential for growth.

International Retailers

With international brands like Tommy Hilfiger, Esprit and Puma (that have entered the country) growing well over 100 per cent, many others are also planning to foray into the Indian retail market. India's vast middle class with its expanding purchasing power and its almost untapped retail industry are key attractions for global retail giants wanting to enter newer markets.

The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, has tied-up with Sunil Mittal's Bharti Enterprises to enter Indian retail market.
Microsoft's first shop-in-shop pilot has been launched with the Tata Group subsidiary Infiniti Retail's multi-brand consumer durables retail format, Croma.
The Walt Disney Company, consumer product retailing arm of global animation giant, will soon add 135 new stores to its existing 15 stores.
World's leading coffee chain, Starbucks' enters India through a tie-up with the country's leading multiplex operator PVR Limited.
Apple Inc has entered into an exclusive marketing and distribution deal with Reliance Retail through "iStore by Reliance Digital".
The UK-based international coffee chain, Costa Coffee, plans to double the number of retail outlets by the end of 2008.
Some of the international players that have already entered India include McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Dominos, Levis, Lee, Nike, Adidas, TGIF, Benetton, Swarovski, Sony, Sharp, Kodak, Medicine Shoppe among others.

Retail Reform

The Government allows 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in cash and carry through the automatic route and 51 per cent in single brand. Besides, the franchise route is available for big operators. To further attract global retailers, the economic survey 2007-08 has suggested a share for foreign equity in all retail trade and 100 per cent in respect of luxury brands and other specialised retail chains.

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