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GCCI RETAIL TRADE COMMITTEE MEETS VICE CHANCELLOR OF GOA UNIVERSITY

Indian Retail sector has emerged as one of the most dynamic and fast-growing sectors due to entry of several new players in the recent times along with rising income levels, growing aspirations, favourable demographics and easy credit availability. Retail Sector in Goa is also growing but there is a severe scarcity of trained staff as Colleges in Goa are not offering full fledged Retail curriculum GCCI past President Mr Manoj M C a c u l o a l o n g w i t h Chairman of GCCI Retail Trade Committee Mr Hari Kaul& Director General Mr Sanjay Amonkar called on the Vice Chancellor of Goa University Dr.Harilal Menon and discussed the modalities t o h a v e a n a l l i n c l u s i v e independent curriculum for Retail Sector. Dean of Goa B u s i n e s s S c h o o l D r Dayan and& Dr.Sudarshan were also present Mr Caculo informed that 8% of India ' s total employment is contributed by retail sector. However there are no formal structured courses in Goa t e a c h i n g R e t a i l Tr a d e management. With Retails sector gaining importance a n d m a n y R e t a i l c h a i n s entering Goa the employment opportunities are limited for Goans as most of the staff is picked from outside Goa due to lack of formal courses in the S t a t e . R e t a i l s e c t o r contributes almost 10% of the India's GDP ($250 Billion per per annum). He further added that raw staff had to be trained by the local retail chains in Goa which took considerable time & effort & due to the competitive nature of the sector the attrition rate was high. The Vice Chancellor Dr Menon said that the University would certainly look into introduction of Retail Management in the curriculum as the Bachelors level. He appealed to the Colleges in Goa to come forward to introduce Retail in their basket of courses. With huge International Chains like “ IKEA” already opening stores in India this sector will be in f o c u s f o r p r o s p e c t i v e candidates he added. M r H a r i K a u l s a i d t h a t theoverall indian retail sector is expected to grow around 910% every year for the next 5 year as per Govt of India Estimates. The unorganised sector accounts 88% of the retail market with organised retail at 12%. He said the GCCI is working towards supporting the local retailers i n t e r m s o f o p e r a t i o n a l efficiency, expanding the reach & quality of service aspect. Govtof India is shortly launching ONDC ( Open N e t w o r k f o r D i g i t a l Commerce) . This system will have multiple choices for both retailers and customers in t e r m s o f c a t a l o g u i n g , inventories, warehousing, s u p p l i e r s , l o g i s t i c s a n d p a y m e n t s , T h i s w i l l b e available for all retailers & will be boon. This will help local retailers to compete with the E Commerce Giants. GCCI is also planning training Courses to local retailers he added. Dr Dayanand stressed on the “ attitude ” aspect of the Retailers. It's a buyers market now and we need to adapt to it. The Past generation had a monopoly which has diluted over the years. The new concepts of the retail trade need to be taught to the new generation which will make them Market ready. The Vice Chancellor Dr Menon invite GCCI to join the Board of Studies as a special invitee to draw up the structure & S y l l a b u s o n R e t a i l M a n a g e m e n t . A F o r m a l communication will sent shortly. Mr Manoj M Caculo also informed that GCCI had presented a draft on “ Retail Policy for Goa” to the state Government in 2019. This P o l i c y e n c o m p a s s e s a l l aspects of Retail trade in Goa, & also includes the current situation, the hurdles faced, the Solutions & the way f o r w a r d . T h e P o l i c y encourages skill development & will create more business & employment opportunities A Team from GCCI consisting o f D i r e c t o r M s PallaviArondekar&SanhitaNai k met Director of Industries Tr a d e & C o m m e r c e M s S w e t i k a S a c h a n I AS a n d handed over a copy of the Draft Retail Policy for Goa p r e p a r e d b y G C C I . M s Sachan has assured to look into the same & draw up a formal Policy shortly. GCCI Retail Trade Committee will support the Govt in this initiative.