Global retail tech in India: Coronavirus pandemic has posed unprecedented circumstances across the world majorly impacting the physical retail. This has pushed global retail giants look past their physical presence and explore to strengthen their digital channels presence. India has thus emerged as a big market beneficiary as it involves all the technology requirements. 

Since pandemic has threatened the physical market of retail giants, tech boost has been witnessed in India. Target, the US retailer, is heading towards doubling its employees in Bengaluru to over 6000. Sources reveal that it has leased a fresh sprawling office space of 2.8 lakh sqft in city’s Manyata Embassy Tech Park. The company’s spokesperson didn’t confirm the plans but said, “Target currently employs around 3,400 team members in Bengaluru and we’re committed to continued growth, with new positions in marketing, technology, finance, supply chain, in-house engineering and much more. Team members in India work on some of the most important strategies in retail, in service to Target and our guests.” 

Furthermore, Walmart’s Indian tech arm has increased its workforce by 2000 in Bengaluru and 800 in Chennai over the last one year. This has taken its Indian headcount to over 5000. Walmart’s spokesperson in India said that Walmart Global Tech India is growing across centres in Bengaluru, Chennai and Gurgaon. She said, “We are building a diverse workforce with a broad array of skills such as AI, ML, data sciences and across functions including technology, product management, UX design, operations, HR and rewards.” 

US giants like JCPenney and Lowe’s are also hiring in India for their tech arm. 

Swedish firm Ikea’s Bengaluru centre is expected to expand and become bigger than its other global operation centres in Poland, US and China which employ 1000 employees combined. 

Lalit Ahuja, founder and CEO of ANSR, that establishes and operates GCCs (global capability centres) for enterprises stressed that global giants don’t consider India’s tech centres as an outpost. He said, “It’s a mainstream enterprise. About 20 top retailers are expected to set up tech centres in India over the next two years.”

ANSR is currently managing 70 GCCs in India for Wells Fargo, Delta Airlines, PepsiCo, Lowe’s, Target, and Saks Fifth Avenue.