India has scores of retail biggies. There was a lot of resistance in the initial stages of reform. The problem here was not about the absence of a retail firm, but rather the apprehension and irrational fear that Fdi would take away the jobs of millions of small traders. There is a truth to this fear, because companies like Walmart and IKEA are not willing to completely source their production from India. Nevertheless, most educated Indians feel that the government has pulled off a coup by introducing these reforms. Going by the current politico-economic climate, I'd say that a lot more of these reforms are in the offing.
Last month the government cleared Fdi in the following sectors:
Retail :
Multi brand : 51%
Single brand : 100 %
Aviation: 49 %
Insurance : 49%
Media : 74%
With the clearing of Fdi in retail, India has virtually sealed it's position as the 2nd largest market for goods in the growing world after China. Companies like Walmart, IKEA, Apple, Carrefour , Metro and Decathlon have major plans for India. The issues related to product-sourcing and dependence on local labour are however in a state of limbo at his moment.