INTRODUCTION

The India Retail Industry is the largest among all the industries,
accounting for over 10 per cent of the countrys GDP and around 8 per
cent of the employment. The Retail Industry in India has come for this one
of the most dynamic and fast paced industries with several players
entering the market. But all of them have not yet tasted success because
of the heavy initial investments that are required to break even with other
companies and compete with them. The India Retail Industry is gradually
inching its way towards becoming the next boom industry. The total
concept and idea of shopping has undergone an attention drawing change
in terms of format and consumer buying behaviour, ushering in a
revolution in shopping in India. Modern retailing has entered into the
Retail market in India as is observed in the form of bustling shopping
centers, multi-storied malls and the huge complexes that offer shopping,
entertainment and food all under one roof. A large young working
population with median age of 24 years, nuclear families in urban areas,
along with increasing workingwomen population and emerging
opportunities in the services sector are going to be the key factors in the
growth of the organized Retail sector in India. The growth pattern in
organized retailing and in the consumption made by the Indian population
will follow a rising graph helping the newer businessmen to enter the India
Retail Industry. In India the vast middle class and its almost untapped
retail industry are the key attractive forces for global retail giants wanting
to enter into newer markets, which in turn will help the India Retail
Industry to grow faster. Indian retail is expected to grow 25 per cent
annually. Modern retail in India could be worth US$ 175-200 billion by
2016. The Food Retail Industry in India dominates the shopping basket.
The Mobile phone Retail Industry in India is already a US$ 16.7 billion
business, growing at over 20 per cent per year. The future of the India
Retail Industry looks promising with the growing of the market, with the
government policies becoming more favourable and the emerging
technologies facilitating operations.

History

The history of apparel in India dates back to the use of mordant dyes and
printing blocks around 3000 BC. The foundations of the India's textile trade with
other countries started as early as the second century BC. A hoard of block
printed and resist-dyed fabrics, primarily of Gujarati origin, discovered in the
tombs of Foster, Egypt, are the proof of large scale Indian export of cotton
textiles to the Egypt in medieval periods. During the 13th century, Indian silk was
used as barter for spices from the western countries. Towards the end of the 17th
century, the British East India Companyhad began exports of Indian silks and
several other cotton fabrics to other economies. These included the famous fine
Muslin cloth of Bengal, Orissa and Bihar. Painted and printed cottons or chintz
was widely practiced between India, Java, China and the Philippines, long before
the arrival of the Europeans.

Growth of Indian
industry in India

apparel

Apparel industry in India is estimated to reach US$ 141 billion by 2021

from US$ 67 billion in 2014. Increased penetration of organised retail,
favourable demographics, and rising income levels are likely to drive
demand for textiles. India is the world's second largest exporter of textiles
and clothing.

Retail in India
Retail in India is one of the pillars of its economy and accounts for about 22 percent of its
GDP. The Indian retail market estimated to be US$ 500 billion and one of the top five retail
markets in the world by economic value. India is one of the fastest growing retail markets in the
world, with 1.2 billion people.
As of 2003, India's retailing industry was essentially owner manned small shops. In 2010, larger
format convenience stores and supermarkets accounted for about 4 percent of the industry, and
these were present only in large urban centers. India's retail and logistics industry employs about
40 million Indians (3.3% of Indian population).
Until 2011, Indian central government denied foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi brand retail,
forbidding foreign groups from any ownership in supermarkets, convenience stores or any retail
outlets. Even single-brand retail was limited to 51% ownership and a bureaucratic process.