Western Supermarkets Ready for India Market Entre

India - The Indian cabinet is strongly considering the possibility of allowing foreign multi-brand retailers, defined as chain stores and supermarkets, to own 51 percent of Indian operations.

Single-brand retailers such as Gucci or Nike, currently at the 51 percent limit, could be raised to 100%.

These potential changes has clearly captured the attention of stores such as Tesco, Wal-Mart and Carrefour. 

This potential good news for western retailers is viewed very differently by the millions of India's small retailers – known as the kirana shops. For them, this move is viewed as a threat.

The Indian cabinet appears to be of the opinion that foreign retailers will bring better logistics and help to put a cap on inflation in food prices.