Wal-Mart may open hundreds of stores in India

The world’s largest retailer may soon be opening stores in India. Bloomberg reports that if foreign restrictions are lifted, the retailer may make their move quickly. Bentonville, Arkansas-based Wal-Mart runs two wholesale stores in India as local laws, aimed at protecting owners of smaller shops, limit overseas companies to operating single- brand stores, or wholesale outlets.
“If the laws of the country change to opening up to foreign direct investment in retailing we could open hundreds of stores,” Raj Jain, managing director of Bharti-Walmart Pvt., a wholesale joint venture between Wal-Mart and India’s Bharti Enterprises Pvt., told reporters.

If the restrictions are lifted and Wal-Mart heads to India; will other Western retailers follow?