Retailing is potentially the biggest growth story in India.

• India's retail density is the highest in the world - a retail outlet per 235 individuals (global average1800/retail outlet).

• Organised retail format comprises only 2 per cent of India's GDP (US $3.6 bn).

• Nearly 98 per cent of India's 4.3 mm retail outlets are less than 400 square feet.

• Annual population growth is 2%, while annual retail target population growth is 3%.

• India's urban population as a proportion of the national population has grown from 23.30% (2001).

• The 15-59 age group - the chunk of the consuming class - has increased from 55.60% (1996) to 58.70% (2001) and is projected to increase to 61.90% (2006).

• India's literacy level, a powerful retail driver, of 65% today compares well with the 44% in 1981.

• An FDI Confidance index survey indicates that retailing will be one of the most attractive sectors for foreign direct investment (FDI) in India.

• The population of middle-to-high income Indian households is expected to grow from 30 million (1994) to 81 million (2006).

• According to an A.T.Kearney study, the Indian retail industry, which is worth about Rs 4 lac cr, is estimated to grow by 20% per year to Rs 8 lac cr by 2005.

• Organised retailing is expected to grow 500% - from Rs 5000 cr today to Rs 30,000 cr by 2005 and to over 5% of the GDP over the next four years.

• Some segments will outperform the industry growth: the Rs 500 cr organised food and apparel retail segment, for instance, is expected to grow by 1100% to Rs 6000 cr by 2005.

• At a 35% CAGR growth over the next three years and 17% over the next 10 years, the organised format saturation in retail industry is nearly 15 years away, according to retail analysts in India.