IndiaRetailBiz

Development of nationwide infrastructure and creation of uninterrupted supply chains are among the most important challenges facing the retail industry in India and other emerging markets, according to Prof Kathleen A. Krentler of the College of Business Administration, San Diego State University, California.

Krentler said this while delivering the keynote address at a three day international conference on ‘Retailing in the Globalised Era’ organised by the School of Management Studies, University of Hyderabad, at Hyderabad on Thursday the 10th. The conference is being attended by around 100 delegates.

“While a young demographic is good for retailers, in countries like India, the young consumers also need money to fuel their spending inclinations,” added Krentler.

Among other concerns facing the sector in India was manpower for the sector. Creating a large pool of skilled workers and retaining the same was another challenge, said Krentler.

Among othe participants, Mr Uday Salunkhe, President, Association of Indian Management Schools, felt that while the business schools in the country should be more industry-oriented, the, entrepreneurship they are teaching should be properly aligned with the fast-changing facets of the industry.”

Mr K.R. Suresh Reddy, Speaker, Andhra Pradesh Assembly, who was Chief Guest at the conference called for business schools and industry to take more interest in sensitising law makers (legislators) on industry and market situations to bring about necessary legislative support from them.

While, Prof Seyed E. Hasnian, Vice-Chancellor, University of Hyderabad, was keen on the University forging alliance with the industry,
for Venkata Ramana Vedulla, Dean, School of Management Studies, a key concern for the management school was to work in collaboration with the industry.