In a country of a billion people, a vast majority of them youngsters, how hard can it be to find — and retain — qualified workers for modern retail outlets? Quite hard, as chains are increasingly finding out. Thanks to skyrocketing attrition figures, retailers are looking to ensure that resources spent in training employees translate into higher productivity and retention, instead of workers abandoning the brand for better opportunities in no time. And they are receiving help from an unexpected quarter — the persons with disability (PwD) talent pool. From retail chains such as Hypercity, Lifestyle, Croma, Shoppers Stop, Reliance and Tanishq, to quick-service restaurants (QSRs) such as KFC, Domino’s and Café Coffee Day, big brands have taken an inclusive turn when it comes to HR and, studies show, the returns have been well worth the change.