E-commerce eating up small shopkeepers' share in high-margin products: Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal

E-commerce companies have no positive impact on employment in India, with e-tailers eating up small shopkeepers' share in high-margin products, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday.   

“We must think whether e-commerce is creating a bigger problem in the society… We are not against e-commerce but we are concerned about retailers. We must ensure a level playing field for them (retailers),” the minister said. 

"Only a few local ‘mom and pop’ stores have been able to survive,” he remarked. 

“We must assess the impact (of e-commerce) on the five lakh pharmacies in the country,” he said. 

(This story will be updated shortly)