Haridwar, Sept 3 (KNN) The small traders of Haridwar in Uttarakhand have staged protest against retail giant Walmart for setting up stores in the city apart from commercial centre Haldwani and in Dehradun in order to boost local employment.

Around 4,000-members of Haridwar Vyapar Mandal staged protest alleging that Walmart’s bulk-purchase drives down prices of goods which would make them uncompetitive.

Apart from Haridwar, traders have also decided to stage protest in Haldwani, Dehradun, Pithoragarh, Champawat, Almoda, Chamoli, Ranikhet etc.

The main items sold by small traders in Haridwar are - woollen garments, puja articles, handicrafts, artificial jewellery etc. However, the main occupation of local people revolves mainly around tourism.

The development comes after, Uttarakhand government has approved setting up of Walmart stores in these three cities against which protests will be carried out between September 1-7.

Walmart so far owns and operates 26 Best Price Modern Wholesale stores in India beginning with Amritsar in 2009. It also has three fulfilment centres in India in Mumbai, Lucknow and Hyderabad. (KNN Bureau)