Last updated : April 20, 2021 11:55 am
In a statement, the Retailers Association of India has highlighted the challenges faced by standalone retail stores due to misinterpretation of curfew regulations at local levels and has outlined the definition of a standalone store for easy reference for its retail members, state and local governments.
Urging caution against lockdown, the Retailers Association of India (RAI) has issued a statement, which while appreciating the government’s intent, has also warned against a repetition of the economic issues faced last year post lockdown.
Furthermore, since each State/Local body has interpreted the Lockdown order and guidelines differently, along with malls, all other large format retail stores are facing restrictions and are being mandated closures at local levels. To diffuse this situation, Retailers Association of India has outlined the definition of a standalone store for easy reference for its retail members, state and local governments.
RAI believes that this interpretation will help to stop unnecessary and avoidable confusion in the market. RAI in a submission to certain State Governments has explained that a retail store, not located in a mall, should be considered a standalone store as per the following:
1. The entire store is owned by one firm/company
2. All billings /transitions are done under one GST Number
3. Such store has a single shop and establishment license /trade license
4. In case of food business such store has one food license (FSSAI)
“There is an urgent need for a coordinated effort from the centre towards handling diverse restrictions at the local levels to minimise impact on economic activities. Ad hoc localisedrestrictions like certain formats not being allowed to operate or restricting timings of operations are not conducive for already ailing businesses to survive. Instead, there should be increased focus on amplifying awareness drives, increasing testing, strict enforcement of COVID-appropriate behaviour and, accelerating the vaccination drive and expanding its reach and coverage,” the retail body has said in its statement.
Last year, as the surge of the pandemic lead to a complete lockdown in India, Retailers Association of India had put in place specific SOPs to be followed by different categories of retail including footwear, apparel, food and grocery, beauty and wellness, CDIT, Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs), jewellery and footwear as well as for Malls to follow when opening and operating physical stores. These SOPs include protocols addressing each and every aspect of efficient and safe functioning of offline stores. The SOPs have been based on a broad framework of SOPs that have been approved by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and are in sync with the guidelines prescribed by the Government of India.