Retail training schools for small traders

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), an umbrella body which represents interests of small traders, is setting up ‘retail schools’ across the country to educate small traders about ways to boost their business. The move comes in the wake of increasing competition from retail giants.

Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general, CAIT, says: “The schools will seek to change the traditional outlook of the traders and educate them to adopt a contemporary approach to retain customers and increase profitability.”

According to CAIT estimates, there are about 50 million small traders operating within the country. Experts estimate the number to be between between 12 and 15 million.

 

The first school is scheduled to begin from Delhi this month, the second will come up later in Nagpur. CAIT has roped in the services of Indian Retail School as the knowledge partners.

“Our fight is not against the big names in the retail industry, but to help the kirana stores transform their business from traditional retail to modern format of retailing,” said Khandelwal.

Retail experts from different parts of the country will take classes in the schools. NK Pandey, CEO, Indian Retail School, says “The course scheduled has been well-structured and customised.” The traders will be trained in subjects like visual merchandising, customer servicing, marketing and retail operations monitoring.