Thursday, May 10, 2007

Traditional Retailers on the Technology Track

The traditional retailers have visibly embarked on the technology track.

Computers, closed circuit television (CCTV), modern gadgets are now the latest in thing in the retail infrastructure scenario. Obviously the traditional retailers - owners of the mom-n-pop stores - are gearing up.

Most of the participants of this modernisation campaign are in it to be able to meet the stricter reporting requirements of the various government agencies. Their consultants - tax advisers and auditors - are insisting that they deploy the hi-tech reporting mechanisms to be able to better comply with the statutory reporting which, in India, is clearly headed towards the e-world.

Some of the retailers are modernising because their principals - the manufacturers and brand owners of their products - are insisting that they do so. I am aware of a couple of such principals who want their dealers to be online all through the day and use their common infrastructure of their billing and information requirements.

Their is yet another group of retailers that is upgrading because it is the in-thing. They use these modern tools to demonstrate that they in sync with the latest. For this group modernisation is more of a marketing gimmick. They like to be recognized as trend-setters in their group.

Then, there is one group that is upgrading because his neighbour has done it.

Whatever be the reason, the modernization will certainly help these small retail establishments survive the retail onslaught of the big business houses.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

automation helps. It is a blessing in disguise.