As India finds itself underway to relaxing lockdowns and social distancing regulations, the Retailers Association of India (RAI) is looking for clear instructions in the reopening of non-essential stores.
The latest announcements by the Government regarding the resumption of non-essential activities have been subject to different interpretations by different states and the RAI is seeking uniform guidelines.
In a statement released yesterday, the RAI expressed confusion regarding current guidelines and that states like Telangana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Assam view large stand-alone stores in the same category as malls, therefore barring them from opening.
But some states have allowed these retailers to open shops. Others like Kerala and Karnataka have prohibited the use of air conditioning inside stores.
The association is now demanding a standard procedure to open stores and this would include guidelines regarding number of staff members allowed, number of customers allowed at a time and time restrictions.
Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of RAI, is requesting the reopening of stores so that it can be a stimulus for the struggling sector and for bringing the economy back to normal.