Page 48 - DMGT550_RETAIL_MANAGEMENT

Unit 3: Types of Retailer

Given that organised retail has been registering growth rates of approximately 40 per cent over Notes
the last three years, it is expected to grow to about ` 35,000 crore in 2005, and close to ` 70,000
crore in 2010. If projections were to be made considering the current trends in food retailing in
India, some years down the line, food and grocery stores will become dominating trade partners
for the food industry, which, in turn, will be forced to offer special discounts and trade terms for
them to get the shelf space in such stores. Also, once established, in-store label brands will
become a real threat to the industry as manufacturers will have to compete with the store label
brands that are generally very price-competitive. As for the spread geographically, strong
chances stand that the major chains would spread to the next grade of cities in the country over
the next 5 years or so and then progressively start covering every corner of the country. Most
chains have already started developing their own unique supply chains that would suit their
needs precisely. Replicating the success stories of the big names of the Western nations may still
be a distant dream for Indian food and grocery retailers, but at least the winds are blowing in the
direction of growth.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:

5. .................... one of the largest sectors in the global economy, is going through a transition
phase in India.
6. .................... retailing is spreading and making its presence felt in different parts of the
country.
7. The Pantaloon Big Bazaar in Delhi is the .................... for the group, and the first in North
India. It has been found that existing Big Bazaar stores.

3.8 General Merchandise Retailers

A general store, general merchandise store, general dealer or village shop is a rural or small
town store that carries a general line of merchandise. It carries a broad selection of merchandise,
sometimes in a small space, where people from the town and surrounding rural areas come to
purchase all their general goods. The store carries routine stock and obtains special orders
from warehouses. It differs from a convenience store or corner shop in that it will be the main
shop for the community rather than a convenient supplement.

Bodeguita comes from the Spanish language as a diminutive of bodega which means “small store”
or “small warehouse”. Traditionally, Bodeguita existed selling general merchandise, then they
were replaced slowly by the chain store, the same way large US chains have practically eliminated
the “mom and pop” store.
General stores often sell staple food items such as milk and bread, and various household goods
such as hardware and electrical supplies. The concept of the general store is very old, and
although some still exist, there are far fewer than there once were, due to urbanization, urban
sprawl, and the relatively recent phenomenon of big-box stores.

Australia

While a large number of general stores still exist in Australia, as in other parts of the world their
numbers were greatly reduced by the advent of supermarkets.

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