Shopping at Walmart? sure thing

COIMBATORE: Farmers and traders may be opposed to allowing FDI in retail sector, but consumers who have experienced high-end shopping at Walmart abroad, are keen that retail giants should set foot here.Recalling his shopping experience in Walmart while he was in Glasgow in UK for four years, Coimbatore resident Praveen Eswaramurthi says, “You can just feel the difference there. The global retail giants keep their customers informed properly about the expiry date, the display date (until date) and complete information about the product.”Edible products stocked in these multi-brand stores also contain information as to whether it contains traces of peanuts or other substance, to which some are allergic abroad. “Here consumers are largely kept in the dark on such inputs. Over there, shop assistants would also offer professional assistance in selecting products,” Eswaramurthi adds.Kaarthi, a software professional who had a stint in the United States, insists that consumers will feel the difference. “Just like there is a huge difference between buying vegetables from a local vendor and a supermarket, shopping will be a transforming experience in multi-brand stores,” he says.Coimbatore Consumer Cause secretary K Kathirmathiyon defends FDI in retail arguing “when competition is high, the consumer will benefit. It will be a buyers’ market and not a sellers.”