Indian retail industry is the largest industry in India, with an employment of around 8% and contributing to over 10% of the country's GDP. Retail industry in India is expected to rise 25% yearly being driven by strong income growth, changing lifestyles, and favorable demographic patterns. (www.business.mapsofindia.com) The network of retailers has reached every nook and corner of the country. So any product produced anywhere in the country can be easily accessed by the buyers from any location. Thus, the spatial convenience of Indian retailers is very high. According to ORG-MARG, the total number of all kind of retail outlets in India was 51, 30,000 during 1996-97. This means that one retail outlet exists against an average of almost 190 persons. (Sarma, 2000)
INDIAN JOURNAL OF MARKETING (ISSN 0973-8703) is a double blind peer reviewed refereed monthly journal, which was started in 1968. It is the oldest and the only monthly journal of Marketing in India. It is an authentic research publication dealing with Marketing; Advertising; Consumer Behaviour; Sales Management; Advertising & Promotion Management; Business Education; Business Information Systems (MIS); Business Law; Communication; Direct Marketing; E-Commerce; Global Business; Health Care Administration; Marketing Research; Marketing Theory & Applications; Office Administration/Management; Organizational Development; Production/Operations; Public Administration; Retailing; Sales/Selling; Services; Tourism, Hospitality & Leisure; and Industrial Organization.