It’s official now, The Indian government has imposed a ban on smoking in public places with effect from 2nd October, 2008. I am not a smoker, and the ban really didn’t make me think twice, although some of my friends were of course furious about all the fuss. This got me thinking, about all the small cigarette wallah’s you can find at every nook and corner of Indian streets, some of whom depend totally on tobacco sales, although I doubt whether this point was taken into account by the Indian tobacco major ITC, while filling up for a stay order, but this really is concerning for me. This is something I used to consider as the magic of Indian retailing, think of a cigarette, and its there, not the whole pack, but just the amount you want. This is something which could explain the deep penetration of Indian market, and along with the tobacco business came different options, you could always find normal grocery stuff at these touch points.
I doubt whether there business is going to go down, as I have always doubted the implementation policies of Indian Govt. Still, if in force, will it effect the unorganized retailing in India? Whats your take on it?
Loading ...- Sarthak
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