The government is likely to soon consider a proposal of relaxing rules for complying with the mandatory 30% local sourcing norms by foreign single brand retailers. According to the proposal, single-brand retail firms would also be allowed to open online stores before setting up brick-and-mortar shops if they bring in over $200 million FDI. Presently, online sale by a single-brand retail player is permitted only after opening of physical outlet.
Relaxations are expected in a provision where foreign retail traders are presently allowed to adjust procurement of goods from India for their global operations for meeting the mandatory local sourcing requirement. However, this is allowed only for five years and incremental sourcing of goods from India is only taken into account presently. Amendments and easing are also likely in this provision.
The move comes in the backdrop of announcements made by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in her Budget speech that local sourcing norms will be eased for FDI in single brand retail sector. In January 2018, the government allowed 100 percent FDI in the sector, permitting foreign players in single-brand retail trade to set up own shops in India without government approval. FDI in India fell by 11 percent to $22.66 billion during the first half of the financial year 2019 (H1FY19).
Start Research-backed Investing ...Now. Subscribe to Sapphire
MoneyWorks4Me is a SEBI-registered Investment Adviser (IA) dedicated to helping investors build long-term wealth through transparent, research-driven, conflict-free guidance. Founded in 2008, we started our journey as a Research Analyst (RA), providing deep fundamental analysis, intrinsic value insights, and long-term investing frameworks for Indian equities. In 2017, we transitioned to a full-fledged SEBI-registered Investment Adviser, strengthening our commitment to acting as a fiduciary—always putting the investor’s interest first.
To become India’s most trusted, research-powered fiduciary advisory platform—where every investor, regardless of experience, can make calm, confident, and well-reasoned investment decisions.
MoneyWorks4Me ensures this through: