"This would help them develop skills to manage retail infrastructure efficiently so far as buying and merchandising is concerned. The training would also survival techniques by focusing on opportunities that are inherent in such enterprises."

"The self-organised network of small shopkeepers across the country makes huge contributions to the economy. Educating them about consumer behaviour, communication patterns, managerial styles and the amount of support a trader can expect from his own family, may be as important to entrepreneurs as knowing how to reach a market or managing cash flow," he added.

The CAIT national president B.C. Bharatiya said: "Indian retail accounts for around 10 per cent of the GDP with more than five crore small shopkeepers in business."