Top retail companies in India

Some of the big names in the industry include not-so-old start-ups.

In the ever-evolving business scene of India, retail companies play a pivotal role. From busy local bazaars to chic malls, India’s retail sector has come a long way, boosting the country’s economy at every stage. These retail companies hold a major importance by serving the country with a diverse range of goods, from traditional textiles to electronics. Serving a country with a billion-plus population, catering to diverse preferences and tastes is surely not an easy task, so let’s take a sneak peek into the retail companies in India.

 

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail 

Industry: Retail

Sub Industry: Apparel Stores

Company Type: India’s Top 5

Location: Mumbai / Maharashtra – 400070

Formed in 2015, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail is an essential part of the Aditya Birla Group. The group also has other retail companies like Madura Fashion and Pantaloons. ABFRL, which is among the Fortune 500 companies, operates in over 36 countries, generating more than half of its revenues from overseas business.

 

Bata India 

Industry: Retail, Leather, Accessories

Sub Industry: Footwear Stores

Company Type: India’s Top 500

Location: Gurgaon / Gurugram / Haryana – 122002

Bata India is a part of the Bata Shoe Organisation. Established in 1931, it’s one of India’s largest footwear retailers and manufacturers. Starting as a small operation in Konnagar 

(near Kolkata), it went public in 1973. Currently, it owns over 1375 stores across India and has a retail distribution network with over 30,000 dealers.

 

Future Lifestyle Fashions 

Industry: Retail

Sub Industry: Apparel Stores

Company Type: India’s Top 500

Location: Mumbai / Maharashtra – 400060

Future Lifestyle Fashions is the fashion business of Future Group. The company owns over 300 stores in 90 + cities across India. It also has retail brands like Central. Brand Factory and exclusive brand outlets along with multi-brand outlets. Overall, Future Lifestyle Fashions has a big impact on the Indian Retail industry and is all set to be recognised worldwide.

 

Raymond 

Industry: Retail, Garment, Textile

Sub Industry: Readymade Garments, Apparel Stores

Company Type: India’s Top 500

Location: Mumbai / Maharashtra – 400001

Founded in 1925, Raymond is a household name when it comes to class and elegance in men’s fashion. With 97 years of experience in the textile industry, it’s known for fabric manufacturing, including worsted fabrics, cotton, wool blends, linen, and denim. The company is also involved in real estate with Raymond Realty and Home. In the B2B sector, Raymond also manufactures clothing for famous brands worldwide.

 

Shoppers Stop 

Industry: Retail, E-Commerce

Sub Industry: Apparel Stores

Company Type: India’s Top 500

Location: Mumbai / Maharashtra – 400064

Shoppers Stop is a well-known name in India for a one-stop place for all clothing necessities of the country. The company was established in 1991 and has grown into one of India’s largest Omni-channel networks. Currently, in India, it owns around 98 stores, premium home concept stores, specialty beauty stores, and a loyal customer base.

 

Apollo Pharmacies 

Industry: Retail, E-Commerce

Sub Industry: Pharmacy

Company Type: India’s 501-1000

Location: Chennai / Tamil Nadu – 600028

Apollo Pharmacy is a subsidiary of Apollo Hospitals. It is India’s largest Omni-channel pharmacy. It owns over 5500 outlets across the country and provides International Quality Certification with 24-hour services and home delivery to over 19,000+ pin codes. It also offers a wide range of medicines, from OTC products to FMCG items. Currently, its online platform Apollopharmacy.in offers over 70,000 products in various categories.

 

Haldiram Foods International 

Industry: Food, FMCG, Hotels, Restaurants, Cloud Kitchen, Retail

Sub Industry: Processed Food, Food Grains, Restaurants, Fast Food Outlets

Company Type: India’s 501-1000

Location: Nagpur / Maharashtra – 440035

Haldiram’s, founded by Ganga Bishan Agarwal in Bikaner, is a renowned Indian snack food company.  With a rich history of 8 decades, the company was initially started as a small namkeen shop, which later, under the guidance of Mr Shiv Kishan Agrawal, expanded and relocated to Nagpur in 1970, where it introduced a wide range of savouries, sweets, and beverages.

 

Fabindia 

Industry: Retail, Garment, Textile, E-Commerce

Sub Industry: Readymade Garments, Apparel Stores

Company Type: India’s 501-1000

Location: New Delhi / Delhi – 110020

Founded in 1960, Fabindia focuses on promoting India’s rich craft. The company was initially an exporter of home furnishing and now offers products like clothing, home decor, personal care items and organic foods. So far, Fabindia has connected to over 55,000 local producers and is highly successful in the retail business.

 

FAQs

What is the current state of the retail sector in India?

With the growth of e-commerce, organised retail chains, and digital payment systems, the retail sector in India is thriving and undergoing significant transformation.

Which are the major players in the Indian retail industry?

Some of the prominent retail companies in India include Reliance Retail, Tata Group's Trent, Aditya Birla Retail, Future Retail, and numerous international brands and e-commerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart.

What are the emerging trends in Indian retail?

Key trends include the rise of omnichannel retailing (combining online and offline experiences), a focus on sustainability and eco-friendly products, and the growing demand for personalised and localised shopping experiences.

What role does government policy play in the Indian retail sector?

Government policies, including Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) regulations and Goods and Services Tax (GST), have a significant impact on the retail industry. Understanding and complying with these policies is crucial for both domestic and international retailers.

What are the challenges faced by retail companies in India today?

Retailers in India face challenges such as intense competition, supply chain disruptions, rising real estate costs, and changing consumer preferences.

 

Got any questions or point of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Jhumur Ghosh at jhumur.ghosh1@housing.com

 

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