NDIA is a nation of shopkeepers. Today, we boast a total of 14.6 million shops in the nation.
Look around. Even as you and I step out of our homes, not more than three minutes goes by without passing either a paan shop, a small kirana or daily provisions store, or a large supermarket. Our lives are a clutter of small shops. We are spoilt bad. For our every need, want, desire and aspiration, there is a store close by. At arm's-length reach. At desire's-length reach even.
Look at it from another perspective.
How many of us have a shop within us? How many of our close relatives actually run a shop, big or small? The answer is loaded. We have a shopkeeper in our family either in the first, second or third rung of relationships. The shop and its upkeep is therefore within our DNA as Indians in more ways than one. If you don't own a shop, you possibly cater to a shop. You sell stocks into a shop possibly through a sales and distribution business. And then there is yet another enterprise that intermediates between the manufacturer and the retailer at the street level. Informal numbers indicate the size of this business in sheer number terms to be as large as $1.3 trillion in 2022 when last audited. Finally, all of us are related to shops in some way or the other. Which one of us has survived without going out to that small little shop to buy a bar of soap, sugar or cigarette? The shop then is the true-blue representative of early-stage small entrepreneurship. It began with a shop and in many ways it ends with a shop.
This story is from the August 06, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 06, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
EVERYTHING ABOUT DARYL DIXON S2 IS EDGIER
Actors Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Louis Puech Scigliuzzi, Eriq Ebouaney, Anne Charrier, and Romain Levi discuss the significance of their characters in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2 - The Book of Carol
Lena Headey and Henry Winkler to star in Normal
Earlier, we reported about Bob Odenkirk starring in an action film titled Normal. The latest news is that actors Lena Headey and Henry Winkler have been added to the film's cast.
Kevin Bacon, Kyra Sedgwick to star in and direct a film
Real-life couple Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick are all set to star in and direct a film titled Family Movie.
A family divided
The French film Jouer avec le feu (that translates as 'playing with fire', English title The Quiet Son) deals with a phenomenon that extends beyond the boundaries of its home country. It's a terrifying exploration of the widespread, worldwide affliction of political divides cutting through families and tearing the most intimate of relationships apart.
-0-mania
As human reliance on eggs grew over time, the way they are devoured also changed worldwide.
WHISKING UP CHRISTMAS MAGIC
As the calendar turns to November and a hint of winter whispers through the air in Chennai, anticipation begins to build for the festive season ahead.
The aromatic perennial herb
ARRAGON (Artemisia dracunculus) is a perennial herb prized for its warm, aromatic flavour.
Little acts, big heart
It's the smallest things that sometimes make the biggest difference. A smile from a stranger, someone holding the door, a friend complimenting your outfit—these little acts of kindness are heartwarmingly simple, yet they can brighten someone's entire day.
Eyes on host city as IOA submits letter of intent for 2036 Olympics
THE Indian Olympic Association has finally submitted the letter of intent to the International Olympic Committee on October 1.
Confident Tamil Nadu take on hosts Assam
A confident-looking Tamil Nadu take on Assam in the Ranji Trophy fixture to be played at Barsapara cricket stadium in Guwahati starting from Wednesday.