Retailers expand but profit eludes many

STARK REALITY OF RETAIL

- VIVEAT SUSAN PINTO

SOME OF THE country's top retailers from Reliance Retail to Aditya Birla Fashion, Shoppers Stop and Arvind Fashions have pressed the store expansion button in FY26.Many have also guided for more such expansion in FY27 after staying largely muted in FY24 and FY25.The resurgence comes as demand conditions improve in urban areas, following a spate of policy measures in 2025 including income tax and GST cuts and easing of interest rates to boost consumption.