How India became the global lab for retail innovation
India's buzzing retail scene is quietly shaping how the world shops.
Big names like Amazon, Walmart, Unilever, PepsiCo, and Coca-Cola are testing out new ideas—like ultra-fast delivery and creative packaging—in India first.
Once these models work here, they're rolled out to places like the US, Spain, and Africa.
What's actually being tested in India?
Amazon tried out 10-minute deliveries and teamed up with local kirana stores in India before taking those ideas abroad.
Flipkart (owned by Walmart) started using neighborhood shops as mini-warehouses—a move now copied in Latin America and Canada.
Unilever's tiny shampoo sachets and women-led rural sales teams were born here too, later popping up across Asia and Africa.
Even PepsiCo snacks made for Indian tastes are now sold in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, Canada, and the US.
Why does this matter?
India's mix of incomes, city life vs. small towns, and its blend of old-school kirana shops with modern malls push brands to get creative—think affordable prices and smart logistics.
The solutions that work in India often end up setting trends everywhere else.
So next time you see a cool retail idea at your local store or app overseas, there's a good chance it was tested on Indian streets first!