The Eastern region of the country is seen as the weakest, but actually in terms of FMCG #consumption, it is one of the highest, according to Sanjeev Mehra, Senior Vice-President, Quest Properties Ltd (Quest Mall).
By Staff Reporter | October 12, 2022 | 9:00 pm
To create the right retail environment, one has to have a pro-progressive outlook. Is retail really looked at as an industry? If you look at malls in Kolkata like South City or Quest, they employ 3000-4000 people directly. Retail must be given its due.
The Eastern region of the country is seen as the weakest, but actually in terms of FMCG #consumption, it is one of the highest.
“A few years back I saw that West Bengal’s rural areas were one of the highest consumers.
The real problem lies in infrastructure—the infrastructure, the land policy and the like which are not conducive in the eastern part. I think in recent times we have seen major changes in Odisha,” says Sanjeev Mehra, Senior Vice-President, Quest Properties Ltd (Quest Mall).
Our country has the highest number of vertical #malls. Is it possible to create a city without retail? All roads have been overtaken! This is because markets have not been made! If markets have not been made, how will people get these resources? This is a continuous struggle. Our cities are getting bigger and bigger, and our footpaths have been encroached upon, and people are made to walk on roads!
“Economic zones for industries, what for retail?” he questions.
To create the right retail environment, one has to have a pro-progressive outlook. Is retail really looked at as an industry? If you look at malls in Kolkata like South City or Quest, they employ 3000-4000 people directly. “Show me one factory which employs such a huge number of people. Retail must be given its due”.
Further, the end product of anything you produce is retail. Then how can you not logically have this as an industry? Think about it.. if you do not have a place conducive for business or which makes the buyer comfortable, then it is difficult for the seller to conduct business. If you are not comfortable, you are not going to buy.
“Just like we have created economic zones where we want people to come and do business, create a similar infrastructure for retail in more predominant and accessible areas. Our roads are not good enough for people to drive and the malls cannot be built on the outskirts—these are all the challenges we face,” Mehra concludes.
