The global retail industry is rapidly evolving, and companies are increasingly turning to India for offshoring not just back-office functions, but also high-value, strategic retail operations. With a robust talent ecosystem, a mature digital infrastructure, and a growing number of retail Global Capability Centers (GCCs), India is emerging as a critical hub for the global retail sector.

Traditionally, retailers have outsourced customer service, IT, and HR functions to India. However, the scope of retail offshoring in India has expanded significantly. Today, global retailers are leveraging Indian GCCs for merchandise planning, training, loyalty program management, store administration, and customer analytics—functions that are central to delivering business value.

Industry Trends in Retail Offshoring

Several trends underscore the transformation of the retail GCC landscape in India:

• Expanding Scope of Work: Offshoring is no longer limited to front and back-office operations. Core retail functions—such as merchandising, supply chain planning, store operations, and consumer insights—are now being managed from India.
  

• Strong Growth Momentum: With the retail and CPG boom, global giants are setting up capability centers in India to tap into talent and drive efficiencies.
  

• Digital-Led Transformation: Retail GCCs in India are becoming innovation hubs—automating processes, analyzing consumer data, and enhancing decision-making using AI and advanced analytics.
  

By the Numbers: Retail GCCs in India

• Nearly 25% of global Retail and CPG companies have a GCC presence in India.
  

• These GCCs employ over 50,000 professionals, working across key areas such as store planning, marketing operations, and supply chain analytics.
  

• Over 50% of these GCCs were established in just the past seven years—highlighting the rapid growth and increasing strategic relevance of India in the global retail sector.
  

Key Benefits of Retail Offshoring to India

Retailers are finding multiple advantages by offshoring to India:

• Collaborative Global Teams: Indian GCCs enable distributed team models, enhancing collaboration across markets and time zones.
  

• Investments in Digital and RPA: Companies are making significant investments in digital transformation, automation (RPA), and predictive analytics to optimize operations.
  

• Core Retail Support: From merchandising to store operations and campaign management, Indian GCCs are supporting key business pillars.
  

• Strategic Innovation: Indian capability centers are playing a leading role in developing next-gen loyalty programs, customer experiences, and omnichannel retail models.
  

Operational Models and Talent Strategy

• Hybrid Engagement Models: Many retail GCCs use a mix of in-house teams and third-party service providers, ensuring scalability and flexibility.
  

• Talent Development and Retention: Leading companies invest in career development programs, ensuring high engagement and low attrition within Indian GCCs.
  

• Global Operating Standards: Indian GCCs are being aligned to global best practices, offering seamless support to headquarters and regional markets.
  

The Road Ahead: Retail Offshoring in India

The future of retail offshoring in India is poised for growth, fueled by strategic investment and a sharpened focus on digital retail transformation. The maturity and depth of retail GCCs are enabling companies to deliver:

• Enterprise transformation at scale
  

• Increased agility through automation and analytics
  

• Expanded capabilities in customer personalization and loyalty
  

Gloplax: Enabling High-Impact Retail GCCs

At Gloplax, we specialize in helping global retailers design, launch, and scale capability centers in India that drive measurable business impact. From talent strategy to digital enablement, we ensure that your retail GCC is built on a foundation of operational excellence and innovation.

Our expertise spans retail operations, data-driven merchandising, loyalty analytics, and more. Whether you’re establishing your first offshore presence or optimizing an existing one, Gloplax is your trusted partner for retail offshoring success.

Retail offshoring in India is no longer a back-office strategy—it’s a core business enabler. With the right partnerships and approach, Indian GCCs can unlock new efficiencies, enable customer-centric innovations, and support global growth for retailers worldwide.