Global retail business complex, challenging and demanding

The global retail business is getting to be more complicated as consumers are becoming more demanding, according to Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, Honorary Chairperson, Central Pattana Thailand and the former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand at the inauguration of the Sri Lanka Retail Forum 2017 held at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel in Colombo yesterday.
“We are doing a wonderful job to Sri Lanka and we want retailers to provide all the facilities including digital connectivity to consumers. We want to revive consumption expenditure and want consumers to spend wisely and enjoy shopping to be a part of lifestyle.” Sri Lanka is evolving into a hub economy in this part of the world together with retail business. Ties between Thailand and Sri Lanka has been strong over the years as theye share the same values, he said.
The event was organized by the Sri Lanka Retailers Association along with the Ceylon Chambers of Commerce and is the first event to be held in Sri Lanka.
Chairman of the Sri Lanka Retail Association Hussain Sadiq said any part of Sri Lanka can be reached with a simple communication structure with minimum barriers unlike in neighbouring countries where such facilities do not still exist to promote rural, regional and national retail business. “We want to bring high profile international speakers to Sri Lanka every year and want to connect with Thai, Singapore and Indian retailers with in the next five years.”
Murali Prakash, Association Vice President, said the organization began its official business in October 2016 and was able to achieve a great deal within such a short span due to hard work and interest shown by its members. “We hope to build consensus among us to push forward and develop retail trade in Sri Lanka to withstand global competition. “  (JJ)