RBI data shows retail credit grew by 15.

1% y-o-y in December
43.6% growth in loans for consumer durables was seen y-o-y in December 2014
Retail credit segment saw a slower growth of 15.1% in year-on-year in December, compared to 15.8%
growth a year ago. This was fuelled by slower growth in vehicle loans, education loans and home loans.
A 43.6% growth in loans for consumer durables was seen y-o-y in December 2014, compared to 33.4%
growth a year ago. According to the Sectoral Deployment of Bank Credit data (December 2014) released
by Reserve Bank of India, in retail credit, vehicle loans grew by 15.5% year-on-year, registering a slower
growth than what was seen last year. Housing loans grew by 16%. Education loans grew by 6.3%, since
December period is generally considered a lean season for admissions to higher education institutes.
(More info: http://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/rbi-data-shows-retail-creditgrew-by-15-1-y-o-y-in-dec-115020301381_1.html)

Government to push for more retail participation in disinvestments

To increase retail participation in PSU stake sales, the Department of Disinvestment is contemplating an
aggressive strategy to encourage more people to open demat accounts and reduce the time taken for
the same. At present, it takes at least 3-5 days for a person to have an operational demat account, which
is a must to buy, transfer or sell shares or other securities held in the electronic format.
(More info: http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-02-01/news/58675881_1_retailinvestors-demat-retail-quota)

The Apple Watch may just turn Apple retail stores into jewelry shops
As we get nearer to the launch of the Apple Watch, more and more details about the highly anticipated
wearable product are coming to light. This time, a new bit of information has emerged regarding the
expected jewelry-style treatment of the products high-end model in Apple retail stores. As reported by
9to5Mac, Apple will be using safes to hold the gold Apple Watch Edition, which is the most expensive in
the Apple Watch range that also includes stainless steel and aluminum models. The safes will likely be
used to carry both to-be-sold inventory as well as to store demo units from the show floor overnight,
the site notes. The custom-designed safes will be outfitted with Apple Watch MagSafe chargers in
order to keep the demo units charged up and ready to go for the next day of business.
(More
info:
http://appadvice.com/appnn/2015/01/the-apple-watch-may-just-turn-apple-retailstores-into-jewelry-shops)

Amazon looking to buy some RadioShack stores to establish retail

Following the news that tech retailer RadioShack has filed for bankruptcy, a new report claims that
online megastore Amazon has expressed interest in buying some of the company's brick-and-mortar

locations. Amazon has discussed purchasing some of the storefronts and turning them into pick-up and
drop-off centers for online customers. RadioShack has more than 4,000 U.S. retail locations, and its
bankruptcy plan calls for it to sell a portion of them and close the rest.Other companies interested in
RadioShack's retail space include Sprint and the investment company behind Brookstone. Wireless
provider Sprint is said to be interested in buying as many as half of RadioShack's stores and "cobranding" them.
(More info: http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/02/03/amazon-looking-to-buy-some-radioshackstores-to-establish-retail-presence---report)

Online retailers offering heavy discounts, see sales boost

Indians are increasingly buying daily consumption products such as food and personal care items, with
retailers such as Meragrocer.com, Bigbasket.com, LocalBanya-.com, Aaramshop.com, ShopClues.com
and My-Grahak.com offering heavy discounts, attractive offers and same-day deliveries.
Meragrocer.com sells Coke Zero cans, Oreo biscuits and Maggi noodles at Rs 1 each on a minimum
basket value, while ShopClues.com recently sold Nivea skin care products at a 48 per cent discount over
(More
info:http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/46102685.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest
&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst)

Budget 2015: Beginning of Achchhe Din for retail sector?

Retail sector though offers more than 33 million jobs in India, faces many challenges. It is high time the
government takes steps to do away with the obstacles that mar growth of retail sector. he moment of
truth is here. Its time for the new government to present its first full budget and is perhaps the most
anticipated budget in recent years. There is a lot riding on this budget as it will reveal the governments
attitude towards development and growth. The governments pro-business approach has raised the
hopes of corporate India - with all industry sectors anchoring a lot of expectations on it. Retailers, on
their part, are looking forward to a pro-growth budget as promised by the government. A budget that
promotes Make in India, facilitates skills development and actively encourages getting the dividend out
of demand in India. There are over 12 million retail outlets in the country, employing 33 million +
people. Yet, retail is not anchored under any ministry.
(More Info: http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/tax/budget-2015-beginning%E2%80%98achchhedin%E2%80%99-for-retail-sector_1288144.html?utm_source=ref_article)

Andhra: Walmart to set up retail stores

Walmart International will open retail stores in Andhra Pradesh and procure products from the
state.Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met David Cheesewright, the president and

CEO of Wal-Mart International Wednesday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos and
discussed the areas of collaboration with the retail giant.
(More info: http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/andhra-walmart-to-set-up-retailstores/#sthash.4wOtHQ4v.dpuf)