Private equity players believe it to be lucrative to invest in designer labels.

Importers protest as food safety regulator demands adherence to recent law on labelling, blocks entry at ports for packs with stickers.

The chain readies to expand its footprint as Bharti focuses on its retail venture.

Sources estimate there could be about 60 applications at the department of industrial policy and promotion for up to 49 per cent foreign direct investment in single-brand retail.

Since debuting in India in October 2012, the company has opened 15 Starbucks stores across Mumbai and Delhi.

DEA objects to the company's 29 Indian stores having sub-brands as a rule violation; DIPP doesn't agree.

Like other food and grocery chains, Birla Retail is aggressively pushing its private labels and large packs to woo customers. Besides offering value, private labels push retailers' margins.

The retail giant tries to strengthen its e-commerce presence, sensing competition globally

Cap in single-brand retail likely to be 74%.

When Kishore Biyani- led Future Group opened the 200,000 square feet Home Town store in Mumbai's Vikhroli early last year, it became a symbol of the group's giant-sized ambitions in home solutions.

In a 21-page discussion paper, it has sought comments from stakeholders on a dozen issues, ranging from allowing retail chains with foreign capital to open stores in select cities to government approval for opening each store, mandatory hiring of rural population and sourcing from small and medium enterprises.