CAIT to Host National Conference on May 16 to Defend India’s Retail Trade from Foreign Corporate Encroachment

New Delhi, 11 May : In a major push to safeguard India’s retail sector from the growing dominance of foreign-funded e-commerce and quick commerce companies, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) will organize a National Conference on May 16, 2025, in New Delhi. The conference aims to bring together a unified front of stakeholders from across India to challenge what CAIT terms as a "conspiracy to capture India’s ₹140 lakh crore retail trade."

The high-level event will see participation from over 100 top trade leaders representing various sectors from across the country. Former Union Minister Smt Smriti Irani will deliver the keynote address, underlining the gravity and national significance of the issue.

Mr. Praveen Khandelwal, CAIT Secretary General and Member of Parliament from Chandni Chowk (Delhi), emphasized that the conference will include a broad coalition of stakeholders beyond just traders. “This includes advocates of Swadeshi products, representatives from MSMEs, small industries, transport sector, consumer organizations, women entrepreneurs, farmers, startups, and employees. Together, we will develop a comprehensive action plan to counter the unethical and monopolistic practices of foreign corporations,” said Mr. Khandelwal.

According to Mr. B.C. Bhartia, CAIT’s National President, the threat from these corporations is not hypothetical but real and present. “Sectors such as mobile and accessories, FMCG, consumer durables, kirana stores, electronics, garments, footwear, food, restaurants, and hotels have already suffered immense losses due to these companies' predatory pricing and deep discounting models,” he said. Mr. Bhartia asserted that immediate collective action is essential to stop further encroachment.

The conference will be a pivotal step towards organizing a nationwide awareness and protest campaign. The strategies discussed and adopted at the event will form the basis of a coordinated national response to what CAIT sees as a direct threat to the independence and sustainability of India's traditional retail ecosystem.

CAIT leaders have consistently advocated for policy reforms that support Indian entrepreneurs and resist monopolistic market capture by global giants. With stakeholders from across the economic spectrum expected to participate, this conference may well mark the beginning of a powerful movement to reclaim India’s retail trade and promote ethical, inclusive, and Swadeshi commerce models.