This article discusses the present state of organized retailing in India, its growth during the last few decades and the factors responsible for that. It also explains the impact of various policies of the government, which influenced the growth of retailing in India. Several major players in this field have been compared and analyzed. It also analyzes the past trends and explores the potential of retailing in the country.In this millennium, there is almost a feverish pitch in retail activities in India. Large department stores, spacious malls, and brand stores in metropolitan and even smaller cities are increasingly becoming part of the Indian landscape. By definition, a mall is a collection of large and small independent retailers under one roof, combined with dining facilities, entertainment, and dedicated parking. It is also viewed as physical infrastructure that creates a social entertainment experience during shopping.

Until 1990, there were just three international style shopping malls in India—Spencer in Chennai, Crossroads in Mumbai and Ansals in New Delhi. By the end of 2003, that number would have jumped to at least 40. Currently 96% of all organized retail emanates from the top ten cities in India, with the top six accounting for 86%. According to KSA Technopark, organized retailing has grown three-fold from Rs. 5,000 cr in 2000 to Rs. 15,000 cr today, with a potential to expand to Rs. 35,000 cr in 2005. There is enough potential in retailing, but the organized sector, according to KSA, appears to be focusing on just India's top 23 cities. That is where the majority of the country's urban population resides.

So much so that the top ten cities in the country account for 94% of retail sales, with the top six filling the shopping basket with 82% sales. Liberalization of the economy in the 90s and the entry of large players in the retail business have brought the retail industry into spotlight. Big players and national retail chains are changing the rules of the game in spite of their meager share in the overall retail trade. The value of the Indian retailing market for the year 2001 through 2010 for the respective growth as estimated by the different research firms has been listed.