The pilot covered retailers across a mix of business categories to capture diversity of perspectives — mobile phone sellers, chemists, kirana/grocery outlets, and clothing and footwear shops — sampled to reflect the initial quota design. The questionnaire explored business practices, inventory and financial management, adoption of digital tools, exposure to competitive pressures from chain stores, quick-commerce apps, and online marketplaces, and perceptions of GST and broader government policy, alongside political attitudes toward state and central governments. Conducting the pilot in an urban setting presented notable challenges — retailers were often pressed for time and refusal rates were higher than expected — which DIA addressed through flexible scheduling, emphasis on the confidentiality and independence of the study, and daily monitoring of enumerator performance.