Retail zones in AP: Naidu to retailers

Hyderabad, Jan 2 (INN): Taking forward his 'Made in Andhra Pradesh' vision on lines of 'Make in India' campaign, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu discussed opportunities to modernize retail business in the state, today at the Secretariat.

Retailers like Shoppers' Stop, Walmart India, Lifestyle International, Future Retail, Trent, Reliance Retail, K. Raheja Group, Aditya Birla and Retailers Association of India participated in the meeting.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister was informed by B.S. Nagesh about the challenges of retailers in opening retail outlets across the state.

Under the current policy, if a retailer has to open a shop in one city/town, he has to get several clearances each time he sets up a shop in a particular town or city.

Retailers have requested the Chief Minister to devise a system which will simplify the process and enable them to open new outlets through some basic guidelines every time they want to set up shop.

The Chief Minister said that once a retailer gets approval in the state, a system will be designed to enable the retailer to open multiple outlets just by informing the single-desk (for clearances) and by following basic guidelines.

Further, the Chief Minister has asked retailers to work on a draft retail policy (that will include best practices from across the country) with the government of Andhra Pradesh which will give a boost to state's revenues and modernize retail industry.

Replying to retailers' suggestion of setting up 'Retail Zones' in the state, the Chief Minister asked them to come up with a plan of action on this.

On the request of retailers, the Chief Minister gave a nod to 365-day working of outlets where retailers have to abide by labour laws and create a shift system for employees.

Explaining that Andhra Pradesh is poised to become international logistics hub, the Chief Minister asked retailers to encourage manufacturers to set up units in the state.

On food products, the Chief Minister added that retailers could source food from local areas (for marine, agriculture and dairy products) and sell them for local consumption. This will not only increase local consumption but also bring in revenues, eventually boosting the state's economy.

Pointing out that retailers face logistics challenges, Chandrababu Naidu suggested them to bring in world-renowned experts from the field and work on introducing logistics courses in colleges and Universities.

Briefing them on the government's skill development mission, the Chief Minister asked retailers to train youth and create employment for them.

Retailers Association of India's Kumar Rajagopalan said that the industry body has a training programme (under the National Skill Development Corporation) which will asses skills of the candidate, train youth and certify them.

The retailers said they will take up skill upgradation under Corporate Social Responsibility.

On the other hand, the Chief Minister suggested retailers to take up quality control test and labeling of products made by DWCRA women. He also suggested them to take up promotion of the products.

The Chief Minister was invited by Retailers Association of India to attend retailers' conference in February in Mumbai.

BS Nagesh of Shoppers' Stop, Murali Lanka of Walmart, Rajaneesh of Walmart India, Kabir Lumba of Lifestyle International, Rakesh Biyani of Future Group, Noel Tata of Trent, Venugopal Komanduri of Reliance Retail, Ravindranath of Raheja Group, Ashish Dikshit of Aditya Birla, Kumar Rajagopalan, Gautam Jain and Raghavendra of Retailers Association of India, advisor (communication) Dr. Parakala Prabhakar, Principal secretary to CM Satish Chandra and secretary to CM Sai Prasad were present in the meeting.