India set to relax retail rules

After years of speculation and fierce debate, India looks set to ease restrictions of foreign investment in its booming retail sector. Business organisations and multinationals have welcomed the decision, although there remains some local opposition.

INDIA: New Delhi confirms suspension of retail reform

7 December 2011

India's ruling Congress Party has today (7 December) confirmed that plans to allow more foreign investment in the country's retail sector have been suspended.

Comment: Indian retail reforms descends into morass

7 December 2011

Faced with a third week of political protests that have stopped the Indian parliamentary process in its tracks, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today (7 December) announced controversial reforms to foreign direct investment in Indian retail will now be postponed. A consultation, which will involve opposition MPs, will now take place. However, MPs opposed to the ruling have hailed the announcement as the final nail in the coffin for the governments plans. Sam Webb takes a look at the ramifications of the government u-turn.

UPDATE: INDIA: Business remains hopeful over FDI in retail

5 December 2011

India's main business organisation is hopeful the country's government will press ahead with plans to open the retail sector further despite the plans being put on hold amid political opposition.

INDIA: Retail reform "put on hold"

5 December 2011

India's government has reportedly put its controversial reform of the country's retail sector on hold.

INDIA: Indian retailers divided over FDI reform

30 November 2011

Leading domestic players in India's retail industry have highlighted the disagreement within the sector over the country's plans to allow greater foreign investment.

INDIA: PM Singh defends FDI reform

30 November 2011

The Indian Prime Minister has defended the easing of rules on foreign ownership in the country's retail market, as politicians opposed to the move continue to cripple parliament.

Quote, unquote: India retail reform special

29 November 2011

India's cabinet has relaxed rules on foreign direct investment in the country's retail sector. The move was lauded by global retailers but met with opposition from large sections of the parliament, because foreign companies can now own 51% of multi-brand retail stores. In this special quote unquote, just-food outlines the thoughts of those affected by the announcement.

INDIA: Carrefour opens second cash-&-carry store in India

29 November 2011

Carrefour has opened a second cash-&-carry store in India.

Best bits: Caution over India's retail ruling

28 November 2011

Multinational retailers beware. For all the headlines last week, the passage into India's fledgling and potentially lucrative retail sector is likely to be anything but smooth.

INDIA: New FDI laws split Indian parliament

25 November 2011

An executive decision by India's cabinet to ease laws on foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country's retail market was met with opposition from large sections of the parliament.

INDIA: India closer to easing rules on retail investment

25 July 2011

India has come a step closer to opening up multi-brand retail to overseas operators after a key government committee approved an easing of rules on foreign investment.

INDIA: Government panel backs extension of FDI in retail

31 May 2011

An Indian government panel has reportedly recommended easing rules over foreign investment in the country's retail sector.

India policy push raises questions for retail FDI

15 April 2010

Unease and uncertainty has been provoked among international food retailers in India by new restrictive guidelines issued that limit the already-restricted foreign investment in the country's organised retail sector.

FDI off India's menu but rural push will help retailers

7 July 2009

The world's top food retailers may not have got the news they were looking for when India's new government published its first annual budget yesterday (6 July). Despite apparent support in some political circles for a loosening of the laws restricting foreign investment in Indian retail, the budget made no mention of any reform. However, as Dean Best reports, the likes of Wal-Mart, Tesco and Metro Group should still be cheered by India's plans for modernisation.