Comments on: Reply to comment about Rural Indian Consumer http://blog.ambientengines.com/2009/05/13/reply-to-comment-about-rural-indian-consumer/ Exploring Entrepreneurial Ideas that Address Social Issues, Enhance the Environment, Sustain Development and Transform the Developing World Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:21:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Raj Melville http://blog.ambientengines.com/2009/05/13/reply-to-comment-about-rural-indian-consumer/#comment-678 Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:30:57 +0000 http://socialecosystem.wordpress.com/?p=461#comment-678 Interesting viewpoint of Economist Abhijit Banerjee, director, Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, MIT in his interview with Times of India

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Edit-Page/QA-There-needs-to-be-an-effective-social-nest-for-the-poor/articleshow/4769709.cms

Some economists believe the poor represent huge untapped business potential. There is some truth to it. The poor are certainly interested in consumption goods, maybe too interested in some cases. The cellphone industry is an exception, but that apart, i haven’t really come across compelling examples of products designed for the poor. Marketers are yet to understand how to come up with cost-effective products to target the poor alone.

]]> By: Raj Melville http://blog.ambientengines.com/2009/05/13/reply-to-comment-about-rural-indian-consumer/#comment-669 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:02:49 +0000 http://socialecosystem.wordpress.com/?p=461#comment-669 A few weeks ago, I had written a couple of blog posts on the Rural Indian Consumer. I had observed then that most of the examples have focused on the rural sector as consumers instead of addressing the more fundamental issue of increasing rural income and employment. I pointed out that one of the key issues that needed to be addressed if the rural sector was to grow was connectivity to external markets to expand the rural market and increase the overall size of the pie. This article comparing growth in rural China versus India is a good example of the potential for growth and the lack of focus in India.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124720416075022041.html

]]> By: eksparsh http://blog.ambientengines.com/2009/05/13/reply-to-comment-about-rural-indian-consumer/#comment-524 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:33:19 +0000 http://socialecosystem.wordpress.com/?p=461#comment-524 Increase in the purchasing power of the rural consumer does not necessarily translate into development of the rural sector. This would be a myopic view. You have rightly pointed out that growth and development in rural sector is possible and sustainable only when opportunities are given to the people to improve. In addition to the points you have mentioned, basic infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and water are also important.

]]> By: Raj Melville http://blog.ambientengines.com/2009/05/13/reply-to-comment-about-rural-indian-consumer/#comment-410 Fri, 15 May 2009 16:41:27 +0000 http://socialecosystem.wordpress.com/?p=461#comment-410 Related article in the news

http://www.mydigitalfc.com/jobs/wal-mart-steps-hiring-ahead-india-launch-131

Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, has stepped up hiring of retail executives as it prepares to launch its cash & carry operations in India over the next three to four weeks.

Bharti-Walmart had announced that its self-service wholesale stores would be called “Best Price Modern Wholesale.” They will sell food and non-food products mainly to institutional clients such as hotels and restaurants.

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