Govt planning to allow 100% FDI in single-brand retail

11 Nov 2011 Evaluate

The government is planning to increase the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limits in single-brand retail from 51% to 100%, in a move that is expected to encourage the single brand retailers such as furniture-maker Ikea and luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton to open shops in India.

As per the government official, earlier this week, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) under the minister of commerce and industry, moved a cabinet note seeking an increase in FDI limit. Earlier, the DIPP had proposed to increase the investment limit to 74%, however, it decided to adopt a more aggressive stand, by arguing that if 100% investment is allowed in sector then companies like Ikea, which produces mass consumption products and accessories and prominent luxury brands will set up stores in India.

Along with this, it has made a case for an increase on the grounds that with full-control over the Indian ventures, foreign retailers will have a sizable presence in India and will be encouraged to source locally. The government official said, 'You cannot expect companies to have five stores in five-star hotels and source from local vendors. In the absence of scale, it makes more sense to import and sell in the Indian market.’

More than luxury brands it is mass consumption items like furniture and garments that are expected to add to the sourcing wave, as several large firms already source from Indian venders for their stores in other courtiers. The government is of the view that if FDI limit is increased then the volume is expected to increase significantly if there are outlets in India too. Similarly industry experts are of the view that if investment limit is increased then the domestic industry especially the mom-and-pop store will not be affected. And increased limit will help domestic industry to enhance level of sourcing from local players.

The move of increasing FDI limit in single brand retailing has comes at a time, when the government is not capable of pushing a proposal of increasing FDI limits in multi-brand retails, allowing international players such as Wal-Mart and Best Buy to open stores. Earlier, the DIPP’s proposal of increasing FDI limit in multi-brand retail had got approval from committee of secretaries, however, because of lack of political accord, the progress on the development got slower.  Further, the commerce and industry minister is also hopeful that he would be able to push through the proposal to increase the ceiling for single-brand retail. If all goes well, the industry department is hoping to get a green light by the end of the year.

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