In a fresh initiative to address  the concerns of small traders over the entry of corporate houses in the retail sector, the Centre is examining a new plan for the growth of retail business in the country. The new plan envisages that corporate houses would bring on board small traders while setting up retail chains, particularly in the supply chain management. The plan, drawn up by the Food Processing Ministry, is likely to be discussed with representatives of the corporate houses entering into the retail sector.

Stakeholders
As per the proposal, business houses would have to make small traders stakeholders in the growth of retail sector by involving them in supplying products instead of the business houses directly procuring them from producers. “This kind of supply chain management will benefit both the small traders and big retail houses,” Food Processing Ministry secretary P I Suvrathna told Deccan Herald. 

The proposal was in line with the UPA government’s “inclusive growth” approach as this would enable both the small traders and big houses to co-exist. A meeting of all corporates involved in retail business would be convened soon to give final shape to the proposal, said the official.

He said the Centre was projecting the pattern in Virudnagar district of Tamil Nadu as the model while drawing the new plan. In Virudnagar district the retail sector has involved small traders in the supply chain. The Virudnagar pattern was successful as there have been no friction between the corporate houses and the small traders.