Monday, August 24
New Delhi: Shrugging off past disruptions, the Indian retail industry is gearing up for 2026 with a solid foundation and is expected to see better margins, driven by a shift in demand from major metros to Tier II and III cities, all while maintaining its position as the world's third-largest retail market. The Indian retail industry, valued at approximately USD 1.1 trillion, is marked by rapid digital integration, expansion into smaller towns, and significant mall development, driven by strong domestic demand, tech-led disruption, and rising consumer expectations for quality and value. With policy interventions such as GST reforms and income tax relief, coupled with a good monsoon and higher Minimum Support Prices (MSP), the industry anticipates a silver lining in consumer demand. Moreover
India’s long-delayed labour reforms are moving into their most decisive phase after a five-year wait. The Union government has finally set the stage for the full operationalisation of the four labour codes in 2026, with the publication of detailed rules that promise a statutory minimum wage and universal social security for all workers.The codes consolidate 29 existing labour laws into a single, streamlined framework, replacing decades-old legislation with a structure meant to reflect current economic realities.The labour ministry is also preparing to roll out EPFO 3.0 in 2026, a major upgrade aimed at faster provident fund withdrawals, smoother pension fixation under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995 and quicker settlement of insurance claims under the Employees’ Deposit Linked In
