Telangana Chicken Retailers Launch Statewide Shutdown Over Margin Dispute
In a significant move, chicken retail shops across Telangana are set to shut down from Wednesday morning as traders escalate their protest against shrinking profit margins. The statewide 'mahadharna' at Indira Park marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle, with the closure expected to disrupt supply chains as shop owners push for a revision in commissions amid soaring operational costs.
Association Demands Higher Margins Amid Rising Expenses
The decision to initiate the shutdown was taken during a meeting of the state retail shop owners association, with traders from various districts poised to participate in the protest. Association president Gaddameedi Raju highlighted that retailers are seeking an increase in margins from Rs 26 to Rs 40 per kilogram, citing a sharp rise in operational expenses that has left them grappling with continuous losses.
"Shop rents, electricity bills, transportation, and wages have increased sharply, but our margins remain unchanged. We are facing continuous losses," Raju stated, emphasizing the financial strain on small businesses. He further elaborated on the escalating labour costs, noting that salaries have surged from around Rs 5,000 twenty years ago to approximately Rs 20,000 per worker today, with most shops employing at least three workers.
Corporatisation Squeezes Small Retailers
Raju pointed out that the poultry sector has become increasingly corporatised, with large firms allegedly squeezing small retailers out of the market. "The sector has become corporatised, and we are struggling to survive," he claimed, urging the state government and poultry companies to revise the commission structure and ensure stable pricing to support local businesses.
The association has called for immediate action to address their demands, with Raju asserting that the protest will continue until their concerns are adequately met. This shutdown underscores the broader challenges faced by small-scale retailers in adapting to economic pressures and corporate dominance in the industry.
