Wal-Mart hires Perfect Relations for India PR duties

Wal-Mart India Pvt. Ltd., the wholly owned subsidiary of the world’s largest retailer Wal-Mart Stores Inc., has appointed Perfect Relations as its strategic communications partner to carry out its PR business in India. The outgoing agency is Creation, a global communications agency that is part of the CMGRP group that also owns Weber Shandwick in India.

The account earlier is believed to have been valued at over 1 crore rupees annually. Wal-Mart opened its first cash and carry store in India in partnership with Bharti Retail in 2008. The joint venture broke up in 2013 formally in the wake of an internal investigation under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in the US. Since the probe in 2012, Wal-Mart’s expansion into its now wholly owned wholesale cash and carry business has been at a halt.

But in March this year, Wal-Mart India appointed Ashwin Mittal as chief financial officer and Javier Rojo  to lead real estate expansion and business development. Wal-Mart India also stated in 2014 that it plans to scale up its cash and carry stores called ‘Best Price’ from the current 20 to 50 by 2019.

Wal-Mart confirmed the appointment of Perfect Relations to PRmoment India in a statement. Rajneesh Kumar, Vice-President and Head of Corporate Affairs, Wal-Mart India said, "I am delighted to announce Perfect Relations as our new Communications Advisor with effect from today, May 1, 2015. Perfect Relations comes with tremendous industry experience. We are confident the team will add value for us, as we continue to strengthen our business in India in line with our commitment to the country and build a world-class operation in Cash & Carry business, bring global expertise and contribute to the success of small businesses, kiranas and other stakeholders.”

“A prestigious win for us; we're delighted to be selected as the communications partner by Wal-Mart India. We look forward to an exciting journey together as the brand continues to set industry benchmarks in the cash and carry business in the country,” said Madhu Chhibber, CEO, Perfect Relations.

PRmoment India was the first to report in March this year that Wal-Mart has called for pitches.