Evolution Of Retailing In India

archaeology record the existences of markets during the Harappan civilization also. Elaborate descriptions of local and periodic hats have also been found. These were the places were commodity exchange was carried out and people congregated and derived several non-economic values. Retailing as an occupation came into existence when farmers started producing surplus food than they require.

The concept of retailing in India dates back to ancient times when it was mainly in the form of weekly markets and the village fairs (Melas). Changing socio-economic patterns and consumption levels shifted the focus of retailing to mainly convenience stores (mom and pop stores) for daily needs with few prominent retailers on the high street in each city.

Indian retail industry is perhaps the oldest in the universe. Our focus in retail could be traced way back in the history when Veda assigned ‘Vaisya’ community to do trading and business. The common bath (paid baths) at Mohenjodaro is perhaps one of the earlier examples of service retailing. Melas could be examples of temporary malls complete with shopping, food and entertainment options. Today, every town has its ‘retail stores’ – these can be found in Karolbagh in Delhi, or Pondy Bazaar in Chennai, or in Chickpet in

While these retailers gave the necessary ambience to the customer, little effort was made to introduce world-class customer care practices and improve operating efficiencies. Moreover most of these modern developments were restricted to South India, particularly Andhra Pradesh which is still regarded as one of the important land marks of Indian Retail”.

1.4 DEVELOPMENT OF RETAIL INDUSTRY:

This all changed in 1915 when Albert Gerrard opened the Groceteria in Los Angeles, the first documented self-service store. This was soon followed a year later by the Piggly Wiggly® self-service store, founded by Clarence Saunders in Tennessee in the U.S.

This new type of shopping was more efficient and many customers preferred it. Although personal service stores remain to this day, this new concept started a rapid growth of self-service stores in the United States. Other countries were slow to take up the idea, but there has been a steady rise in the global amount of self-service stores ever