Reliance Fresh
By Rajesh Naidu
1. Introduction
India with a population of 1.08 billion (growing at about 1.7 % per annum) provides a large and growing market for food products. Food products are the single largest component of private consumption expenditure, accounting for as much as 49% of the total spending. Furthermore, the upward mobility of income classes and increasing need for convenience and hygiene is driving demand for (a) perishables and non food staples and (b) processed foods.. Also, with the globalization of trade and availability of high speed logistics, food retailers in developed countries are sourcing a year-round supply of fruits and vegetables from developing countries. Thus, both for local consumption as well for export there is a year round opportunity for fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry products and ready to eat processed foods. Food market in India is valued at Rs 2500 billion and fruit and vegetable forms 25% of it.The Indian middle class spends about Rs 400 billion annually on food and groceries. Owing to this high demand and attractiveness many retail giants have forayed into the fruit and vegetable retailing.
Organized retailing in Fresh Fruits and Vegetables is gaining a lot of momentum in India with huge investment by leading Indian corporations in this area. Modern formats of supermarkets such as Reliance Fresh, Choupal Fresh, Farm Fresh, Filed fresh and Namdhari Fresh etc. promoted by different companies are emerging very rapidly in small and large towns around the country. Two of the major players in the supermarket sector in the country are Reliance Industries and Bharti- Walmart tie up. Other key players include ITC, Food World (JV of RPG Group of India and Dairy Farm International based ...