Walmart's Arrival in India: A Blessing or Challenge for Local Retailers and Jobs?

So Walmart is finally in India. Is this a boon to the Indian retail industry? Will Walmart last in India? Will this ensure difficult times for the local kiranas? What will be its effect on the major players? How good is it from the viewpoint of employment generation? To conclude, would you call it a blessing to India or not?

Hi,

Walmart will surely be a boon for India, primarily in urban areas rather than rural areas. I even have doubts about whether it will last long. Walmart creates employment opportunities, and urban people will make use of this kind of retail. Rural areas will not be attracted to this type of retail.

Walmart in India has advantages and disadvantages too.

Regards,
Rekha

WalMart coming here is not a boon to our Indian Retail. It's a bane.

Reasons:

1) Walmart, being the biggest retailer in the world, has some kind of advantage in terms of price, logistics, etc., which Indian retailers have to compete with.

2) Walmart prices will be much lower than those of Indian retailers, especially in the initial few months. However, as time passes, its prices skyrocket.

3) Walmart imports all American brands from America, which Indians do not prefer using. For example, it imports a toothpaste with an actual price of Rs. 100, but initially sells it for Rs. 30 to get people accustomed to it. After some time, it raises the price. Similar situations have occurred in many countries where Walmart operates.

4) People become accustomed to American brands that are completely artificial.

5) Small retailers are adversely affected.

There are many retail chains coming to India, and Walmart is one of them. In reality, Indian companies like Reliance, TATAs, Birlas, etc., can offer products and services that are superior to those of Walmart in one or more aspects.

I believe that Indian retail should benefit more than retailers from other countries.