Leaders of India’s retail sector have called on the government to introduce a unified ‘One nation, one retail licence’ framework, arguing that a single licence system and simplified regulations would significantly reduce operational barriers for businesses across the country.
Speaking at a panel discussion during IndiaEdge 2025, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), industry executives stressed the need for greater coordination between the Centre and state governments to streamline policy interventions, licensing norms, and compliance processes.
Spencer’s Retail CEO Anuj Singh said the industry currently requires “a plethora of licences to operate”, and suggested that a unified retail licence with single-window, digital and time-bound approvals could ease the burden. He noted that addressing regulatory complexities and state-wise variations would help unlock further growth, adding that this was an area where the industry could work closely with policymakers.
India’s retail industry, valued at over US $ 1.3 trillion, is among the fastest-growing globally and is projected to reach US $ 2 trillion by 2030. Singh emphasised this rapid growth, attributing it to multiple structural tailwinds, including rising incomes, demographic advantages, digitisation, and the evolution of omnichannel retail models that improve accessibility without sharply increasing costs. He said the domestic retail environment remained vibrant, with significant headroom for expansion across the country. Consumption, he noted, was no longer concentrated in major metros, as Tier II to Tier V cities were emerging as important retail hubs driven by affordability, accessibility, and rising aspirations.
VMart Managing Director Lalit Agarwal echoed the call for regulatory simplification, describing a genuine single-window clearance system as “a dream” for retailers navigating complex and varied licensing requirements. He noted that even without a formal commitment to such a system, the government could take steps to ease compliance pressures.
Rajesh Jain, Managing Director and CEO of Lacoste India and Chairman of the Delhi Chapter of the Retailers Association of India (RAI), said communication between the association and the government had improved, but considerable work remained. He said the government could support the sector by ensuring higher disposable incomes for consumers, improving ease of doing business through licence reforms similar to the removal of VAT, and easing compliance norms — measures that would lower costs and further propel retail growth.
