RAI launches GST help desk for members

Retailers Association of India (RAI), the apex body of retailers in the country has acknowledged the Goods & Services Tax (GST) as a game changer for the retail industry. India has long been a country where the benefits of consumption and tax there on were not recognised, either by the central government or by the state governments. The implementation of GST is a positive step in this respect.

RAI understands that this monumental change in India’s tax system would come with a lot of new change management requirements for businesses. It has therefore created a helpdesk for member retailers across the country to help them resolve their queries by subject matter experts and facilitate a smoother transition to GST.

“Members of RAI deal with a variety of goods and services as they represent various retail formats and segments such as supermarkets, garment retail, jewellery and quick service restaurants. Many of them are Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) located in various parts of the country. We also have international retailers representing various formats as our members. As they move into a new and complex regime, a help desk with seasoned experts on the panel will help extract collective wisdom and ease the move towards GST,” said Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO, Retailers Association of India.