My Journey from Provision Stores to Reliance and Big Bazaars of today!

I have been living in London for a few months now. News from India has been flashing discussions, protests, anticipation and debates of a retail revolution in India. The government is looking at opening Indian markets for Global Retailers like Walmart, Tesco et al!

When I look back at my childhood, I remember walking to a provision store next to home, standing a midst a crowd, popping my head out to catch the attention of the shop-keeper. When he would look at me, I would rattle a list of things I wanted to buy. One man on the other side would jot down the price on a piece of paper, whilst the other man (with a natraj pencil behind his ears) would  run around a dark dingy store looking for every item. I remember mum even asking samples of some of the grains she would buy  and finally just before we would pay, I would expectantly look at a string of glass jars with rusted iron covers,  holding toffees. On a lucky day I would wriggle out a 'Nutrine' or a 'Parrys' chocolate worth 10 paisa for the trip to the shop. Today, I drive to a neighbourhood super-market, hand pick things I need, walk to a counter, load the purchases and drive right back.

So what has changed in all these years? Lots has:

• I can store, I buy more! Somehow when I walk into a super market, I end up always picking up things because I suddenly want them after I catch a glimpse. I want them even more after I see that there is an offer bundled in. I want it even more if loads of others seem to be picking the item up!
• Not every day anymore, Its only on weekends I visit the store! I used to pay a visit to the provision store on a daily basis for everyday needs. The only things we would hoard is wheat and rice which was consumed in large quantities and needed to be sourced from special stores. These days I probably visit the super market once a week, pick up all things for the week and walk away. Perhaps it is because I don't have as much time. Perhaps its a much longer and time consuming experience shopping in a super market or perhaps I can store much more at home with a larger refrigerator.
• That or this This or that! Choosing is what I am good at! I can pick from more than one brand! The best and the worst thing about a super market is the choice! I can even buy things that were never manufactured in India.Swiss smoked cheese, Pak- choy, and not so fresh lettuce!
• Shop around just in one. Walk in here and you are done!. Earlier my mum would walk around town and visit most of the provision stores around, looking for cheaper or better options and testing if they were consistent. Today I would typically go to one super market and not even bother to check another one out.
• No Gain- No Bargain! - Gone are the days and joys of haggling, bargaining, convincing the shop keeper to mark down his cost a little more. Now the retailers just do it for us - Offers, Bargains are all pre-packaged. We either take it or leave it.
• What do you want the Genie told? Imagine it and it shall be sold! - With hyper marts - Grocery, Vegetables, Shoes, Electronics and what not! All in once place. One would spend an entire Sunday just snooping around usually.

These are just a few differences from a consumers perspective. However, I do strongly believe that Big Bazaar was a trend setter in making retail offerings competitive for an average Indian urban consumer. Reliance, in their own ways have done somethings better for the farmers by eliminating the middle men! However, changes of this nature are never easy to understand and comprehend until we let a decade or a generation past. Of course with the big chains, the consumer gets better standard stores, experiences, competitive prices and possibly crappier quality at times. However, the consumerism present in the 'US' has led to issues today that are beyond correction via a short term fix. I am undecided about how this change will unfold. However I do hope that with Privatization and Commodotization a certain maturity emerges in sectors where we have not done much to fix  and innovate ourselves. At the same time, I do know that bringing a big fish implies all the small ones get eaten and beaten! All I can say is that 'Retail therapy' has picked up even in a saving-centric country like ours. Indian consumers have been exposed to lives outside of India. They have experienced the 'Walmarts' and 'Tescos' and certainly crave for a similar experience back home. We are hungry! However, I just wish it was not a Walmart or a Tesco like standard global experience I got in retort to my hunger! But a more localized, customized and innovative completely new business idea that would have emerged from 'Apna Desh' instead!