Last Updated on August 18, 2023 by
Do you remember those charming Kirana stores, the small local shops where the friendly shopkeeper knew your name and could even anticipate most of the items on your shopping list? As years rolled by and technology soared to unprecedented heights, these quaint little Kirana stores started to face stiff competition from the booming e-commerce industry. Yet, just when it felt certain that the sun was setting on these beloved Kirana shops, technology emerged as the unlikeliest of saviours, breathing new life into these cherished cornerstones of our communities. Let’s take a look at how Kirana stores made a U-turn and had a triumphant return!
From Kirana To E-Com: The Story Behind The Shift
The retail industry has undergone significant changes in the last ten years. These small Kirana shops have a limited clientele and are restricted to a specific block or a street. With the advent of huge e-commerce sites and their entry into the grocery segment, these shops were declared obsolete. Consumers were enticed by the convenience and wide selection of products that were being offered by online shopping platforms. And, for a while, it looked like the end of the local Kirana store was inevitable.
Kirana Stores: The Unsung Heroes Of The COVID-19 Pandemic
The dismal destiny facing Kirana stores changed with the outbreak of COVID-19. When India was on lockdown, even with their large warehouses and massive supply chain, e-commerce sites were unable to cater to customers due to restrictions. That is where the Kirana stores got their magic back, as they were in action and made a comeback.
Why Go Digital?
It is estimated that the retail sector is made up of approximately 13 million Kirana stores, which play a pivotal role in the economy. However, this space is mostly unorganised even though it occupies a major portion of the market. Kirana stores are still popular and relevant, as local customers prefer to shop there despite the e-commerce wave and digital revolution. These shops are also profitable, as they can be started with limited goods in a small space with very little capital investment. These shops are relatively inexpensive to operate and maintain because of their small size. The rents are also low as they occupy less space. Since shop owners directly interact with customers, they know their buying patterns and preferences. There are fewer complexities in staff maintenance and accounting. The merchandise and goods are regulated as per the season and the demands of the customers.
Despite all the advantages, the Kirana stores have limited options when it comes to serving their loyal customer base. Even though they trust these Kirana stores, they would want the convenience of ordering and getting their groceries delivered at home. Kirana stores witnessed a positive transformation and subsequent success when they connected with online grocery ordering apps like Flocco.
Bridging The Gap: Your Kirana Store, Now Just A Tap Away Thanks To Flocco App!
Flocco is an enabler that connects the Kirana stores with their customers. It is an application that brings these small Kirana stores to a single platform, enabling them to sell online and reach their full potential. Flocco app is available for vendors of any size—small, large, or medium—and gives them a chance to make their online presence by digitising their offline stores. They follow a zero-commission model so that even those who are barely surviving can improve sales and thrive.
Apart from helping them have an online presence, Flocco further helps by providing key details of the items to help plan, monitor, and maintain their stock. Flocco even goes the extra mile by planning and implementing targeted marketing strategies that encourage customers to choose these stores, ultimately boosting their sales. Their ultimate mission is for customers to shop from the familiar and trusted Kirana stores and for the stores to become empowered, creating a happy e-commerce community of buyers, sellers, and delivery people.
What’s In It For Customers?
Apart from the fact that you are supporting the effort of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, you will no longer need to worry about finding a good online grocer as you shop from the stores that you know and trust.
The benefits of shopping through grocery delivery apps are:
Assured Quality
Say goodbye to the common problem that plagues online grocery shopping – the uncertainty surrounding product quality. While most shopping platforms offer return options for defective items, the process can be quite a hassle. Thankfully,
this issue is eliminated thanks to the Flocco app. You can buy directly from the store you trust as you know only good quality products will reach your doorstep.
Fast And Secure Payments
Flocco ensures carefree+careful shopping! When you shop on Flocco, you can do so using various payment options, which include UPI, Credit and Debit cards, etc., that are fast, reliable and secure.
Convenient Door-to-Door Delivery
One of the major conveniences of shopping online on e-com sites is their enviable door delivery system. With the use of the Flocco app, your local Kirana store can now offer the same seamless door-to-door delivery experience, thus ensuring you enjoy a personalised shopping experience that is completely hassle-free!
In a world that constantly changes, delivery apps like Flocco emerge as the true saviours of small-sized businesses that are under threat of being swept away by digitisation. By empowering local Kirana stores, Flocco brings them forward and empowers them to stand side-by-side with the pervasive e-commerce platforms. Such new-age delivery apps are rooted in tradition, thereby enabling them to combine the need for the preservation of age-old community-driven businesses with the boundless efficiency of modern technology.
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