Stores closed by farmer protests cost Reliance, Walmart millions in revenue

In November, Punjab estimated economic losses from the protests at $4 billion, while one industry group has pegged the overall hit to India's economy at $9.6 billion

Dozens of Reliance Industries’ retail stores and a giant Walmart outlet face revenue losses of millions of dollars after being forced to shut for more than three months over protests against India’s new farm laws, sources said.

Thousands of farmers from states including northern Punjab have camped for weeks on the outskirts of the capital, in a bid to force Prime Minister Narendra Modi to repeal the laws they contend will benefit corporates, rather than cultivators.

READ MORE: Farmers' protest enters 50th day amid biting cold, fog at Delhi borders

Fears of farmers’ agitation in Punjab, home to