Assuring retailers of simplification of procedures and single desk clearance system to do business in the State, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu outlined plans to come out with a retail policy and facilitate the growth of the sector by earmarking separate zones for retail centres.
Representatives from retail majors such as Shoppers’ Stop, Wal-Mart India, Lifestyle International, Future Retail, Trent, Reliance Retail, K. Raheja Group, Aditya Birla and Retailers Association of India participated in the meeting were asked to facilitate in formulating a new retail policy.
BS Nagesh of Shoppers’ Stop, Murali Lanka of Wal-Mart, Rajaneesh of Wal-Mart 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, were present during the meeting.
During the meeting held today, B.S. Nagesh mentioned about the challenges of retailers in opening retail outlets across the State and number of clearances required to set up a shop.
Taking forward his “Made in Andhra Pradesh” vision on lines of “Make in India” campaign, the Chief Minister asked retailers to work on a draft retail policy which will boost State’s revenues and modernise retail industry.
Separate retail zones
On the 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.
Logisitics hub
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 and urged them to consider local sourcing of products.
Naidu asked retailers to train youth and create employment opportunities for youth. The retailers assured they would take up skill upgradation under Corporate Social Responsibility.
The Chief Minister was invited by Retailers Association of India to attend retailers’ conference to be held at Mumbai in February.