'If not FDI, rollout GST' - Indian ecommerce retailers

About entering the promising and growing ecommerce business, he elaborates by saying, “I feel that the ecommerce segment in India is at a very nascent stage and maybe investing into a business without gaining domain knowledge especially in a tricky market like India, could be risky”.

The one common thread running through each of those fibre2fashion spoke to on their expectations from the government was the rollout of the impending ‘Goods & Service Tax’ (GST), a new tax reform on the agenda of the Indian government.

On his expectations from the government, Abhishek informs, “First we would welcome FDI in ecommerce and second the GST regime, which will bring a uniform sales tax and octroi structure across all states”.

Manu Midha too is also expectantly waiting for the GST roll-out, since it will impact the ecommerce industry in a big way. He says, “Under the current circumstances, if we were to shift something from Delhi to Ahmedabad, we would need to pay sales tax as well as VAT, while a local retailer does not have to pay both”.

Suneet on the other hand has a bouquet of demands which include - Implementation of GST, better road infrastructure to reach remote areas and thereby fulfil demand, making Indian Post more technology efficient and business friendly, reducing service tax rate on online transactions or maybe a few years of moratorium on income tax as well.

Manu is however of the opinion that the government will sooner than later permit FDI in multi-brand ecommerce retail and he welcomes competition from foreign etailers as it will help the overall growth of the industry.

Suneet too seconds the opinion of Manu by saying that if FDI is permitted in ecommerce retail, it would help building the market and help the base of online shoppers grow better. Alongside these global players will also bring in expertise and technology. 

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India