All India Traders Call for Urgent Measures to Safeguard Rs 140 Lakh crore Retail Sector

By siliconindia | Monday, 12 May 2025, 04:36 Hrs

In short

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) to strategize against foreign-funded e-commerce firms threatening India's Rs 140 lakh crore retail sector.
CAIT aims to unite various stakeholders, including MSMEs and consumer groups
The conference is seen as a pivotal moment for raising awareness and organizing protests against these companies.

CAIT on Sunday informed that it will hold a national conference next week. They decided to prepare a collective strategy in order to identify the nefarious agenda of the foreign-funded organizations and initiate an all-India campaign against them.

Given the increasing efforts by e-commerce and fast commerce firms to grab India's thriving retail trade of over Rs 140 lakh crore per annum, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) on Sunday announced that it is hosting a national conference next week.

Over 100 top trade leaders from all over the country will attend the conference on May 16, where former Union Minister Smriti Irani has been invited to be the main speaker.

CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said that the conference will feature not just trade leaders but also Swadeshi products' proponents, transport representatives, small industry representatives, MSME representatives, consumer group representatives, women entrepreneurs, farmers, startups, employees, and other trade stakeholders.

Along with all other associations, they will frame a joint strategy to unmask the nefarious agenda of foreign-funded firms and initiate a countrywide campaign against them.

As per CAIT National President B.C. Bhartia, all trade and industry sectors are joining under one umbrella to counter these firms in a head-to-head contest.

He highlighted that these chains have already done huge harm to a number of key verticals like mobiles and accessories, FMCG, consumer durables, kirana, electronics, toys, garments, apparel, footwear, food, restaurants, and hotels and are now trying to grab additional segments of the Indian market.

Bhartia also added that it is time to oppose such unethical business dealings by such companies tooth and nail for saving the integrity and independence of India's retail trade.

The conference is likely to be a Turning Point towards starting a countrywide awareness and protest movement on the lines set during the discussions, according to CAIT.

CAIT, which purports to speak on behalf of more than 90 million small shopkeepers in the country, declared that it was looking to plan and organize a countrywide agitation against the e-commerce firms for their purported illegal and unethical means.