India gets ready for the first of Wal-Mart’s ‘cash-and-carry’ centre next week! The 50:50 joint venture formed by Bharti Enterprises and Wal-Mart will open its first centre in Amritsar, sans the Wal-Mart label – the company has chosen to name its Indian outlets ‘Best Price Modern Wholesale.’

Wal-Mart’s debut outlet will essentially be a ‘wholesale-only’ enterprise, selling mainly to vegetable vendors, hospitals, hotels and restaurants. Though consumers will not be able to avail everyday low prices advantage at the Amritsar outlet, officials opine that the retailers’ bargains would ultimately benefit end consumers.

Over the next two-year period, the world’s biggest retailer Wal-Mart will have ten more big-box outlets in India. These large stores would be spread over 50,000 to 100,000 sq ft; and would serve only those retailers who have a sales tax number.

Though Wal-Mart’s Indian venture was formed in 2007, it failed to take off earlier due to stiff opposition from small traders and the Left parties. However, with the Congress’ clean sweep in the elections has robbed the Left of the power to manipulate the new government.

Hence, there is obvious optimism in the industry with regard to the opening up of multi-brand retail to foreign direct investment. Rajan Bharti Mittal, Vice-Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, said: “The new government should look at opening up retail by bringing in foreign direct investment.”