Perception and Problems of Retail Business – A Study with Reference to Tuticorin District

Retail industry is the largest industry in India, with an employment of around 8 percent to over 10 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product. Retail industry in India is expected to rise 25 percent yearly being driven by strong income growth, changing lifestyles, and favourable demographic patterns. It is expected that by 2016 modern retail industry in India will be worth US $175- 200 billion. So the researcher made sincere attempt to analyse the perception and prospects faced by retailer in the study area, during the course of starting and managing their enterprise. The main objectives of the study are: 1. To study the socio-economic conditions of the retailer in Tuticorin district. 2. To analyse the reasons for selecting retail business. 3. To known the nature of business of the retailers. 4. To analyse the problems faced by the retailers. 5. To offer suggestions on the basis of the findings of the study. Today retailers must differentiate themselves by meeting the needs of their customers better than the competitors. Retailers should prepare marketing plans that include decision on target market, product assortment and procurement, services and stores atmosphere, price promotion and proper placement of products inside the retail shops. There is a general agreement that a basic retailing strategy for creating competitive advantage is the delivery of high service quality. Therefore, by giving better service and product, definitely the retailers can taste the success