News of Indian retailers putting off expansion plans, pruning their headcount, revising strategy, or delaying plans of a tie-up with a foreign partner has become almost a daily item. Just a year ago this sunrise sector was bustling with activity; everything indicated an oncoming boom! With so many players, competition was intense and predictions of consolidation or a fall out, if at all, were five to eight years away. But, thanks to the global economic crisis, we may already be there.