Can Walmart Rescue?
Down To Earth|June 16, 2018

US retail giant Walmart is desperate to takeover the Indian market in retail and online segments. But will it go the extra mile to fill a critical gap in storage capacity for agricultural produce?

Sandip Sen
Can Walmart Rescue?

IN MAY 2018, Walmart picked up 77 percent stake in Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart for us $16 billion. Market analysts attribute the move to Walmart’s ambition to capture the Indian online market. As per the US-based advisory firm Forrester Research, the Indian online market is one of the fastest growing, with sales amounting to $21 billion last year. Of this, Flipkart holds a market share of 32 percent compared to Amazon’s 31 percent. But when it comes to e-commerce sales, Walmart is far behind. Globally, the company’s presence in this space is negligible, with only $15 billion of its $500 billion annual sales coming from this segment. Perhaps to rectify this, Walmart has promised to pump in $2 billion (about ₹13,000 crore) as fresh equity in Flipkart.

With Walmart going the extra mile, there is a point to be noted: Analysts say the company, which has world-class expertise in cold chains and warehouses, can help the Indian agriculture markets grow and give the much-required boost to Indian farmers reeling under volatility and low prices. Even the Walmart press release promises support to small businesses and development of cold storage to reduce food wastage. “Our investment will benefit India providing quality, affordable goods for customers, while creating new skilled jobs and fresh opportunities for small suppliers, farmers and women entrepreneurs,” says Walmart president and chief executive officer Doug McMillan.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 16, 2018 من Down To Earth.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 16, 2018 من Down To Earth.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من DOWN TO EARTH مشاهدة الكل
A SPRIG TO CARE FOR
Down To Earth

A SPRIG TO CARE FOR

Punarnava, a perennial herb, is easy to grow and has huge health benefits

time-read
3 mins  |
November 01, 2024
DIGGING A DISASTER
Down To Earth

DIGGING A DISASTER

Soapstone mining near Dabti Vijaypur village has caused many residents to migrate.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 01, 2024
REVIEW THE TREATMENT
Down To Earth

REVIEW THE TREATMENT

Several faecal sludge treatment plants in Uttar Pradesh suffer from design flaws that make the treatment process both expensive and inefficient

time-read
3 mins  |
November 01, 2024
MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE
Down To Earth

MAKE STEEL SUSTAINABLE

As India works to double its GDP by 2030, its steel industry must balance growth with sustainability. By embracing policies like the Steel Scrap Recycling Policy 2019 and adopting green technologies, India is paving the way for a more sustainable future in steel production

time-read
4 mins  |
November 01, 2024
Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?
Down To Earth

Can ANRF pull off the impossible for India?

Anusandhan National Research Foundation is expected to reorient India's innovation goals but funding issues, old mindsets remain a drag

time-read
4 mins  |
November 01, 2024
TROUBLED WOODS
Down To Earth

TROUBLED WOODS

Forests are a great bulwark against climate change. But this is fast changing. AKSHIT SANGOMLA travels through some of the pristine patches of the Western Ghats to explore how natural disturbances triggered by global warming now threaten the forest health

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 01, 2024
BLINDING GLOW
Down To Earth

BLINDING GLOW

The science is clear: increased illumination has damaging consequences for the health of humans, animals and plants. It’s time governments introduced policies to protect the natural darkness and improved the quality of outdoor lighting.

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 01, 2024
GROUND REALITY
Down To Earth

GROUND REALITY

What happens when the soil loses the ability to grow healthy, high-yield crops on its own?

time-read
6 mins  |
November 01, 2024
GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC
Down To Earth

GM POLICY MUST BE FARMER CENTRIC

On July 23, the Supreme Court of India directed the Union government to develop a national policy on genetically modified (GM) crops for research, cultivation, trade and commerce through public consultation.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 01, 2024
Vinchurni's Gandhi
Down To Earth

Vinchurni's Gandhi

A 96-year-old farmer transforms barren land into a thriving forest in drought-prone region of Satara

time-read
2 mins  |
November 01, 2024