In the wake of the possible increase in FDI, a new retailing platform ‘Aaramshop’ has come to the rescue of ‘Kiranawalas’.
Recently launched, the concept is very innovative. Commenting at the concept, MD and CEO, Vijay Singh, ‘AaramShop’, said, “AaramShop is a hybrid online retail platform that is completely focused on marketing the essentials (FMCG / CPG brands). While AaramShop is a technology led solution, it is a fully integrated ‘1st mile to last mile’ solution. Its last-mile is completed by the independent neighborhood retail stores – normally referred to as ‘kirana stores’ or ‘mom & pop stores’. In simple words the consumer can log on the platform using their facebook accounts and then shop for the products and brands they want to buy, they can then choose their nearby kirana store from the listing and specify their preferred time of the delivery. This ‘kiranawala’ would be informed about the order and it would be delivered to the doorstep at the time mentioned with COD with no cost escalations.”
On the benefit to the retailers from the concept, VP, Channel Engagement, Saurabh Shrivastava, said, “With this new set up, the retailers have moved up in the learning curve quickly after observing the way MRFs operate and a large number of stores have started a gradual modernization process, ranging from creating self service isles to air-conditioning the shop. It is these, ‘keen to modernize’ kirana stores that will find AaramShop to be a boon for their business.”
Since AaramShop is an open platform, these stores can join the platform for free and create a presence of their own on AaramShop, thereby making themselves more accessible to the modern consumers. With over 32 categories, thousands of products from over 100 FMCG companies to choose from, this concept has been operational in areas of Delhi/ NCR in its first phase.
– IndiaRetailing Bureau