Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry
Vol. 9, Issue 1 (2020)
Food retailing in India: An overview
Author(s):
Bhatt JD and Thaker NM
Abstract:
The food industry is on a roller coaster as Indians continue to have a feast. Fuelled by – large disposable incomes - the food sector is witnessing a remarkable change in consumption patterns, especially in the terms of food. Food retailing has come of age from a period when food items were sold in small road side grocer shops & mandis, haats and bazaars by vendors to a stage when food products (processed and groceries) are retailed through supermarket stores where consumers can inspect, select and pick up the products they like in a comfortable ambience and still pay a fair price. Retailing is one of the essential functions of agricultural marketing system in general as well as for individual farm product. Food and Grocery is the largest category within the retail sector with 60 per cent share followed by apparel and mobile segment and is the least organized. However, food retail continues to be dominated by small local stores in the unorganized sector. The agricultural retailers in India, which include mainly Food (F) and Grocery (G) retailers, are estimated to be 11.2 million (nearly 2/3 of total retailers). The business value of agricultural retail is Rs 13.2 lakh crores (13.2 trillion). Out of these, the exclusive food retailers are 3.7 million, with a business value of Rs 7.4 lakh crores (7.4 trillion). Food retailing in India is, by and large, unorganized, predominantly small, family owned businesses as per the literature reviewed.
Pages: 115-119 | 2179 Views 999 Downloads
Bhatt JD and Thaker NM. Food retailing in India: An overview. J Pharmacogn Phytochem 2020;9(1):115-119.