Not posting any major stuff today – just a few links discovered after googling “Modern Trade blog” – (alas, this one still does not feature in the top two pages even now !! )
This one shares an overall perspective on MT and its evolution. It also shares a Technopak estimate of how MT is expected to grow in the next 5 years. I sense that Technopak has taken a quite a punt on the MT contribution to retail environment in 2018. Its been some time since the FDI bill was passed in whatever distorted form, and there does not seem to be much enthusiasm in the industry going by the lack of announcements of either new entrants, or new partnerships. Its analysis of the 2008 and 2010 years also seems retro fitted basis actual events. So, my take – highly optimistic number – slim chances of materializing.
The other one here is possibly an answer to why the Technopak number may turn out to be the aforementioned punt. It narrates a shopper’s comparison of her experiences at a neighbourhood kirana vis-a-vis the modern trade supermarket, and could, possibly, hold a nugget of insight – the shopper will not compromise on convenience !! It also brings to mind David Ogilvy’s famous words – “The consumer isn’t a moron; she is your wife”. And I am pretty sure there are people in the industry who have already realized this, and are shaping their organization’s strategy accordingly.
Lastly, I loved Mr Nitin Paranjpe’s candour and awareness of HUL as an organization, when he makes a few observations on the importance of modern trade and how HUL adapted to it – see here