“This year, India was made a priority market for Walmart, which means we’re getting more resources, more talent. This will help in accelerating stuff, and investments in the back-end and the supply chain will happen,” Krish Iyer, president and CEO, Walmart India, said.
It was not always this way. Four years ago when Iyer took charge of Walmart India’s operations there were allegations of bribery against some of its executives, and the future of its retail business seemed uncertain given the foreign direct investment rules governing the sector. Iyer empahsized the unique aspect of Walmart India in selling to small wholesale buyers in India (rather than consumers) with its chain of cash-and-carry stores. Today each of Walmart’s India stores has turned profitable at the store level.
Walmart has 20 cash-and-carry stores in India and is expected to launch 50 stores by 2021 at an overall investment of over $500 million. It’s launched its first fulfillment center in Mumbai, which will focus exclusively on consumer products and staples.
For the 15 months ending March 2016, Walmart India posted sales of over $630 million.Pinakiranjan Mishra, partner and sector leader (Consumer Products and Retail), EY, says, “If the foreign players can build scale the way they have abroad, the market opportunity is huge. The market is large enough for foreign and local players in cash and carry. I believe the key will be in execution and building supply chains, more than getting market share.”
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
