A recent public interest suit in the Supreme Court over foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail may have thrown the industry into a tizzy, but lawyers, constitutional experts and government officials indicate the multi-brand retail FDI policy is unlikely to get derailed over Fema.
In a break from the recent trend, retailers, led by Kishore Biyani's Pantaloon Retail (India) Ltd, Raheja-owned Shoppers Stop Ltd and the Lalbhai Group's Arvind Ltd, are experiencing strong growth in the fashion segment, thanks to positive consumer sentiments during the current festive season.
Since 2004, licences have been given to develop as much land in the area as in the entire state during the earlier 25-odd years.
Maharashtra SEZ act yet to be notified.
Revamped menus and menu-cards, uniforms and store interiors have been readied in tieup with designer Rina Dhaka for the 12-year-old Barista, which was taken over by Italian coffee major Turin-based Lavazza in 2007.
Sudden spurt could be seen as a sign of maturity or slowing in the sector.
Other than discounts, most of the sites are offering additional products to lure buyers.
Actis was earlier negotiating with other private equity players, but changed its strategy after the government opened retail sector to foreign companies.
The company, which retails maternity and baby products under 'Mom & Me', wants to open 50 stores under the brand name
Lower minimum area of land required for multi-product SEZs to 250 hectares from 1,000.
Could launch high-end models once 4G technology picks up in India.
Many private equity funds and retailers, who have long-term vision, will come to India, says Biyani.
The accounting and audit fraternity clearly wants to disassociate itself from the DLF-Vadra saga.
Audit firm points out that the accounting rules do not permit companies to give interest-free loans even to their subsidiaries.
Leading corporate lawyers and accounting firms have swung into action to interpret the grey areas in the multi-brand retail FDI policy and suggest follow-up action to clients before they start striking deals.
According to experts, the company might be trying to ape Amazon, the largest e-commerce player in the world.
Walmart's JV with Bharti hinges on policy clarity
Many bureaucrats have in the recent past switched sides to join companies.
At least half a dozen such applications, including those from Celio, Gruppo Coin and Artsana, are in the works and are expected to be sent to the government in a few weeks.
The world's largest retail chain, the $446-billion Walmart, is likely to be the first international player to take off in India with its supermarket format. The Bentonville-based US giant is, in fact, ready with a network of 195 stores across India if it decides to extend its back-end and cash-and-carry partnership with Bharti Enterprises to front-end retail.
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