Retailers to go on expansion spree amid muted same-store sales growth

Aggressive store additions by listed retailers come amid muted same-store sales growth and pressure on margins in March quarter

Though there were mixed signals on growth in the March quarter, fierce competition from online players and margin pressures, retail majors are expanding aggressively in FY20. Same-store sales growth for most retailers in the March quarter were soft, with growth aided by new store additions. Shoppers Stop, Pantaloons, V-Mart, and Future Lifestyle Fashion’s Central reported same-store sales growth of under 6.5 per cent for the quarter. Analysts at Edelweiss Securities say that apparel retailers clocked softer same-store sales growth on general slowdown and a limited period of sale season. Though grocery companies (Future Retail’s Big Bazaar and Avenue Supermarts’ DMart)