Future Retail Vs Amazon: My Take:

We are all aware of the fact that Future Retail Limited is embroiled in a legal battle with US retailer Amazon over the sale of assets to Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Retail for Rs.24,713 crore. Photo: Quint

Yesterday, the Supreme Court heard Amazon's challenge to the Delhi High Court's order staying further arbitration proceedings with the Future Group before the Singapore Arbitration Tribunal.

During yesterday's (Supreme) Court proceedings, Future Retail's counsel informed the bench that his client is bankrupt and that Amazon has brought the company to its knees. 

Meanwhile, Amazon's counsel stated that talks between the parties to resolve legal disputes had failed, and that Reliance is taking over Future's stores.

Surprisingly, Harish Salve, the counsel for the Future Group, added, "Not a single store has been surrendered, and Reliance has taken away the lease."

Interestingly, both parties' counsel agreed to resume arbitration proceedings at the tribunal, which had been halted by the Delhi High Court.

------------------------------------

Now for the catch!!

Future Group may now approach various courts and tribunals, including the Supreme Court, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), to bring to their attention the latest order by the Competition Commission of India (CCI), which has suspended Amazon's investment in a Future Group promoter company.

Following the CCI order, the company will almost certainly ask the courts to dismiss all pending cases relating to the sale of its retail assets to Reliance Retail.

If this occurs, Amazon will suffer a significant setback (apart from losing Rs.200 Cr as fine) and the share price of Future Retail Ltd (Rs.43.05) will cross Rs.150.

--------------------------------------

Now what happens if somehow Amazon wins the case? 

Kishore Biyani's Future Group can still survive on its own, albeit at a reduced scale with the help of banks and lenders. Also, Amazon will not in any case like to see its ruin as it has already invested Rs.1500 crore in a group company.

Moreover, Future Retail now has an online presence through its e - commerce platform, which is doing brisk business.