Indian Retailers to Stage Protests Against Wal-Mart Entry
MUMBAI, India -- Millions of small retailers in India plan to hold protests next month to decry efforts by Wal-Mart and other large firms to move in on their territory, according to an Associated Press report.
"We will tell Wal-Mart and all other big Indian corporations like Reliance and Bharti to get out. They must not take away this business from small workers," said Rajendra Thacker, general secretary of the Mumbai Mahanagar Vyapari Seva Parishad or Save Mumbai Business Group.
Demonstrations and street rallies are slated to take place Aug. 9 in all major cities and towns, including Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, and Calcutta.
Wal-Mart is close to entering India's retail business through a joint venture with local conglomerate Bharti Enterprises, Ltd.
The pressure isn't limited to overseas operators, however. India's top business group, Reliance Industries Ltd., already has opened more than 50 stores across the country, mainly selling groceries, vegetables, and grains.
India's $280 billion market is vastly dominated by over 12 million mom-and-pop shops.
"We will tell Wal-Mart and all other big Indian corporations like Reliance and Bharti to get out. They must not take away this business from small workers," said Rajendra Thacker, general secretary of the Mumbai Mahanagar Vyapari Seva Parishad or Save Mumbai Business Group.
Demonstrations and street rallies are slated to take place Aug. 9 in all major cities and towns, including Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, and Calcutta.
Wal-Mart is close to entering India's retail business through a joint venture with local conglomerate Bharti Enterprises, Ltd.
The pressure isn't limited to overseas operators, however. India's top business group, Reliance Industries Ltd., already has opened more than 50 stores across the country, mainly selling groceries, vegetables, and grains.
India's $280 billion market is vastly dominated by over 12 million mom-and-pop shops.