Welcome Wal-mart!
Wal-mart entered India in stealth mode with the different name “BestPrice Modern Wholesale.”. They should have named it “Best Bazaar” following the local tradition! This entry itself is a big victory for Wal-mart considering the huge opposition from local retailers. Although the media says that mom-and-pop shops would be affected by Wal-mart’s direct entry in India, the truth is that giant local retailers like Reliance and Big Bazaar influence politicians to keep Wal-mart in check.
Despite of all these hurdles, Wal-mart entered India with the help of joint-venture with Bharti. We can debate for many days whether Wal-mart hurts small businesses. However, Wal-mart is good for consumers. Period.
Wal-mart’s entry in India is a turning point for Indian consumers. It will improve the healthy competition among major retailers which will ultimately benefit consumers – all of us!
Related Link: Why Wal-mart’s First India Store is not a Wal-mart
I dont like conglomerates destroying the natives. Not only does small businesses are affected, it should be thought that lots of individual leaders (shop owners living by themselves for livelihood) would be lost. This makes people highly dependent, just like software employees who work 10-12 hrs a day & unexpected pink cards. This is no good for anyone except the great well educated business class.
The market oriented economies failed to keep traditions alive. This is ofcourse a social aspect which I wont discuss now.
kumar
20 Sep 09 at 1:22 pm
I differ though. Wal-Mart like concepts will benefit everyone from middle class to upper class. The local mom and pop shops’ owners are very arrogant and they don’t even smile. They always think that “they help you”. They just need to find some other business where they deal with only themselves.
Naveen
28 Sep 09 at 3:47 am