Reliance’s new Ranger Farm stores in 3 AP towns

‘Ranger Farm,’ the cash & carry format of Mukesh Ambani owned Reliance Retail, is launching at least three new stores in Vijayawada, Guntur and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. These stores are being launched as a precursor to the opening of Reliance Fresh stores in these towns in February, 2007, according to a news report in DNA Money.

Reliance had earlier launched this format of stores prior to the opening of 22 Reliance Fresh stores in Hyderabad and Jaipur.

The format is in the same mould as Metro AG’s Cash & Carry stores in Bangalore, Kolkata and Hyderabad as well as ITC’s Chaupal Fresh stores in Hyderabad, Pune and Chadigarh.

These stores, which open at an unearthly hour of 2 AM in the morning, supply fresh fruits, vegetables and food in bulk to small shop keepers including push cart vendors. These stores, which have not been publicised much, remain open for business until 11 AM. ITC’s Chaupal stores remain open for bulk business between 4 AM and 7 AM and for consumer business, thereafter.
The initial response, according to the report, to this format has been very encouraging in Hyderabad with more than 4,000 push cart vendors and small shopkeepers picking up food and vegetables in bulk.

Retail push helps Raymond’s Q3 profits zoom up

Raymond’s net profit for the quarter ended December 2006, against corresponding quarter in the previous year, on the back of retail push, zoomed up by 26% even though in sales for comparable products was only 13%.

“The company has identified retailing as its thrust area for future growth in the branded textiles and apparel space,” said Gautam Hari Singhania, chairman and managing director of Raymond, while announcing the results. “The company has embarked on an expansion plan for increasing its retail penetration and also entered into strategic partnerships with leading international players to enter new product categories,” he added.

During the quarter, the company signed a 50:50 joint venture with an Italian company, Grotto, for retailing of premium casual wear and accessories under the GAS brand.As a part of Raymond’s strategy to expand its retail network across the country and the middle east, the company launched its flagship store in Mumbai. Raymond’s is also increasing exclusive brand outlets for various brands in its portfolio.

“Retail revolution is on us:” Vikas Garg

FDI in retail will not lead to unemployment and closure of small shops, asserted Vikas Garg, Senior Consultant, Technopak Advisors, while addressing the ‘National Level Retail Summit 2007′ organised by Jain Group of Institutions owned, MATS School of Business & Information Technology in Bangalore.”The retail revolution is on us, and regardless of FDI the revolution will happen. Even, FDI when allowed in retail, will also not result in unemployment and closure of small shops,” added Garg.

Shoppers are now wanting the cheapest, biggest and the quickest products/services from their retailers. They are moving towards the ‘est’ model, said Vipul Parekh, Vice-President, Merchandising, Indiaplaza.in (erstwhile Fabmall.com). He was commenting on the changing behaviour the Indian customers.