HRM / OB Case Study

HR in Indian Retailing: New Mantra for Success?

OR

Abstract:
Retailing is known as the sunrise industry in India and is undergoing transformation due to several socioeconomic factors like rising income levels, changing consumer behaviour and changing demographics. India is the fifth largest destination in the world and Indian retail is the largest industry in India, accounting for 10% of its GDP and 8% of employment which is expected to reach $17 billion by 2010. With the change in retail landscape, there has been a significant change in the role of human resources (HR), from being a mere support function to a more strategic and result oriented one. Though the role and dependency of HR has increased in the retailing market, it is still underdeveloped. Several factors such as the demand-supply gap of manpower, retention schemes, unavailability of quality and talented people etc, have been detrimental to the growth of HR in the retailing industry. The case throws light on the emerging need and significance of HR in the retailing sector in India and its role in the success of the retailing industry.

Pedagogical Objectives:

• The origin and growth of organised retailing in India.
• The role of HR in the retail industry.
• The challenges to the growth of HR in retailing.
• The initiatives taken by the retailing industry to tackle the HR problem.

Keywords :  Human resource, Retail, Organised retailing, People centric, Consumer, Supermarkets, Recruitment, Household goods, Supply chain management, Organisational, Merchandising, Store operations