Wal-Mart, Carrefour plan new initiatives with states

With intentions to make deeper inroads into India, international retailers Wal-Mart and Carrefour are finding new ways to enhance business and brand building in the country.

While Wal-Mart's 50:50 joint venture with Bharti Enterprises - Bharti Wal-Mart, is talking to the Punjab government to maintain and modernise slaughter houses in the state, French retailer Carrefour has adopted a municipal school located near its wholesale store at Seelampur in Delhi.

"We are talking to the Punjab government for maintenance and modernisation of slaughter houses. The initiative is at a preliminary stage," a Bharti Wal-Mart spokesperson told PTI.

The partnership will help the company to source hygienic meat for its 'Best Price Modern Wholesale stores' that currently cater to about 1.85 lakh registered members in the country.

The company has set up six wholesale stores in the country so far, with four stores operating in Punjab alone.

When asked by about the timeline of the project, the spokesperson said: "We are currently working on the plan and details are not yet available."

Carrefour, on the other hand, has tied up with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) as part of its global philosophy to support local development.

"This programme has helped bring positive change to the communities globally and we at Carrefour are delighted to begin this programme in India as well," Carrefour India Head- CSR Mohan Shukla said.

Workshops are being conducted with students and a nutritionist has been hired to give advice and answer specific queries of children on health and hygiene, the firm said.

"Carrefour will improve the infrastructure of the school and provide safe and clean facilities to create an environment conducive to learning for more than 180 children enrolled in the school," it added.

The Carrefour Group has opened its first cash-and-carry store in India in New Delhi (Seelampur) called 'Carrefour Wholesale Cash & Carry'.