Ad hoc local lockdowns hurting already stressed retailers: Industry body

“Total lockdowns in some places and limited operational hours and days in several others are creating setbacks for retailers as the already stressed retail businesses are getting further interrupted and in turn, dampening consumer sentiment,” it said.

According to RAI, although the intentions are that of citizen safety and social distancing, the recent instances of local lockdowns and ad hoc restrictions being imposed in UP, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are having a distressing impact on retail businesses. Retailers are already facing huge setbacks in terms of payment of wages and rentals due to low sales of about 40 per cent as compared to last year, thanks to the extended lockdown, it said.

Sandeep Kataria, CEO, Bata India said: “Restricted shopping time can lead to unnecessary overcrowding of stores, which is unfavourable towards the personal safety of both store staff and customers. Longer operational hours will support recovery for retailers as well as help adhering to social distancing norms.”

Arvind Mediratta, MD and CEO, Metro Cash & Carry India said such hastily-implemented decisions by states undermine investor confidence and would come in the way of making the country “aatmanirbhar” or self-reliant.