Indian Retailers Are in No Hurry to Explore Alibaba Model


BANGALORE: The Chinese e-commerce giant, Alibaba, is weaving through with its much projected $22 billion initial public offer, listing on the U.S. stock market. This is generating a huge interest among investors worldwide, including high profile individuals in India.

But Indian retailers are in no hurry to explore this Business-to–Business (B2B) e-commerce space. While global competitors like Amazon and Walmart are exploring B2B online in India, the traditional Indian retailers like the Future Group and Reliance Retail and e-commerce players such as Snapdeal and Flipkart have no plans so far, reports Rediff.

“We are a retailer that deals with consumers, there is no reason for us to get into the B2B space. Others are getting into it because regulations stop them from entering the B2C (business-to-consumer) segment,” said Kishore Biyani, CEO of the Future group.

Amazon did not wish to comment and Walmart expressed that it is running out of cash and carry by the end of this year. Meanwhile, Walmart is also in its expansionary plans.

On the other hand, Reliance Retail, which is currently competing with Walmart did not reveal its cash and carry plans as yet.

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