Retailers Association of India (RAI) welcomes the Government of Uttar Pradesh’s decision to cap stamp duty and registration fees on lease deeds — a long-standing recommendation that RAI and other industry bodies have been advocating for on behalf of India’s retail and commercial sectors. It was highlighted that high and unpredictable stamp duty and registration fees act as a deterrent to formal tenancy registration.
Under the new system, maximum stamp duty and registration fees have been capped. These limits will be based on the tenancy period and average annual rent and certainly saves money for retailers.
Please click on the link below to view the notification:
https://shorturl.at/BkHSl
RAI delegation attended a meeting at Parliament House on 7th November 2025 to present and discuss RAI’s comments and suggestions with the Hon’ble Members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce (PSC) regarding Ease of Doing Retail Business in India. The PSC, comprising various Members of Parliament, was receptive to the prevailing issues faced by the retail industry as highlighted during the meeting.
The key areas of discussion included, but were not limited to: implementation of the National Retail Trade Policy, Multiple and cumbersome retail licence and renewal processes, Need for an entry-level unified licence and extended validity, Uniformity in Central and State regulations, QCO-related concerns and Issues pertaining to CPCB compliances etc.
The Committee appreciated the comments made by RAI and has requested written inputs for further consideration.
We request you to kindly share your inputs and suggestions on the above topics (and any other relevant concerns) on palak@rai.net.in latest by 12 November, 2025.
This is to bring to your kind attention that despite the official permission as per Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2017 to operate round-the-clock, RAI members have reported instances where the retail establishments are being compelled to cease operations at midnight by local administration and police authorities.
Retailers Association of India raised the issue, after which the state government of Maharashtra clarified that—except liquor shops—businesses can operate round the clock if employees get a 24-hour weekly holiday. Please click on the link below to view the clarification:
Please find below the latest updates for your reference:
We are pleased to inform you that, following RAI’s submission, the Department of Legal Metrology, Ministry of Consumer Affairs has announced key relaxations.
Retailers are now exempted from the requirement of mandatory stickering on individual products.
Furthermore, advertisements may be carried out in any form — digital or physical — as deemed fit by each brand.
We have been receiving queries and representations from several retailers regarding the implementation of GST 2.0 rate rationalisation, effective 22nd September 2025. To ensure clarity, consistency, and uniform practices across the retail sector, RAI has prepared a detailed advisory for its members.
This advisory outlines the communication and compliance requirements in both scenarios – where GST rates have decreased and where rates have increased.
Please click on the link below to view the same:
https://qrs.ly/kuh0kmn
Following the implementation of GST 2.0 reforms and the notification issued by the Department regarding the declaration of revised MRPs on unsold stock (along with extension of relevant timelines), RAI has submitted a representation to the Authority.
In this submission, RAI has requested the invocation of Rule 33 of the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 and sought relaxation from certain requirements under Rule 18 for the revision of Maximum Retail Prices (MRPs).
You may view RAI's submission at the link below:
Further to RAI's submission regarding the change in GST rates effective 22nd September 2025, the legal metrology department has issued a notification to declare revised MRPs on unsold stock.
You may view the official notification at the link below:
As part of the upcoming GST 2.0 reforms, RAI has urged the Ministry of Finance and the Hon’ble GST Council to introduce a simplified and rationalized GST regime by classifying apparel, footwear, restaurants, mobile phones, and laptops under the 5% slab.
Click on the link below to view RAI’s Submission:
In its representation, RAI has highlighted concerns and recommendations on the current GST structure for these key sectors. Being highly employment-generating and consumer-facing industries, these sectors are seeking rationalisation of GST rates under the proposed reforms, expected around Diwali 2025
RAI had two meetings with Hon JS - DPIIT - Ms Nidhi Kesarwani and Hon Director - Ms Sabiha Rizvi regarding exemption of the import of Footwear Samples under the purview of QCOs for Leather and Footwear Sector.
Delegation highlighted that the retail industry is facing a huge challenge for hassle free import of such samples, even after declaration to customs / BIS that it is for non-commercial usage of the imported samples. RAI had submitted the following representation in this regard: https://qrs.ly/elgvq9e
We were asked by the JS to submit details of average number of samples imported by the retailers. RAI has submitted the same. Hon JS assured us that she will look into the matter.