Published Paper Details:

The retail sector in India not only is the most vibrant growth driver in the country, valued at USD 1.4 trillion and estimated to be USD 2 trillion in 2032, but also supports close to 10 percent of the GDP and millions of people in both organised and unorganised sector. In the last twenty years, the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy has been gradually liberalized, which has not only led to introduction of global brands within the Indian market place but also changed the way businesses are conducted through the integration of business model, technologies, and supply chains. FDI is reshaping the boundaries of Indian retail sector, ranging through Kirana stalls to the international chains. This research paper provides an in-depth discussion of the use of FDI in realizing the growth of the retail sector of India between April 2000 and March 2025. Arguing that the dual aspects of the study can be solved with a mixed-methods design, it combines the descriptive trend analysis of DPIIT and RBI official data with the qualitative information based on the analysis of government reports, literature and industry reports. According to the findings, three characterizing patterns are present: inflows that are concentrated in a few states, the transformative nature on the infrastructure and the consumer experience, and the struggle of small retailers with rural markets. The research concludes that FDI in retail is a force of structure that needs to be managed with a certain purposed, not necessarily a benefit or a curse. It suggests the idea of inclusive Kirana digital upskilling, regional investments, enhanced e-commerce governance, and a growing idea of building the sustainable, equitable, and competitive global environment retailing till 2035.