This refers to ‘Kirana stores back in fashion’ January 26. This is mostly due to mismanagement in big retail chains. When the retail chains started spreading, their staff was not trained and even the basic systems were not in place. The retail chains were more interested in opening new stores instead of consolidating and training their staff. Prices are not properly displayed, goods which are beyond their expiry dates and not removed and except for few commonly-used goods, the prices are higher than those in kirana stores. The consumers are disillusioned and slowly the entire concept of organised retail trade is being reconsidered. The fear that kirana stores would disappear when big retail chains enter the retail market has turned out to be without any basis — if anything, some of the organised retail outlets may fold up.
M M Gurbaxani, Bangalore
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