Retailers Association requests government to open essential stores

By

Maverick Martins

Published
Mar 26, 2020

​The Retailers Association of India (RAI) has urged all state governments to allow the operation of essential stores during the lockdown period, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Due to the mandatory closure of the stores, retailers across India are facing a financial crisis. The closure of essential stores has also set off panic buying in most states.
 
In view of this, the retailers have sought the government’s intervention in this matter.

“We have asked for the necessary urgent steps by the government to work on an immediate solution (60 days) as well as a medium-term solution (180 Days),” Kumar Rajagopalan, chief executive officer of RAI, told Moneycontrol.
 
“RAI has submitted representations to the Prime Minister’s Office, Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Commerce Ministry, and the Finance Ministry to help the retail industry cope with the detrimental effects on the business in the wake of coronavirus pandemic,” he added.
 
Retailers across the country are already feeling the effects of reduced consumer spending on non-essential products such as clothing, while certain medical supplies and food categories fly off shelves.