Pravin Venkatesh* has been running a modest kirana store in a corner of Bengaluru’s Malleswaram for approximately two decades, but over the...
Pravin Venkatesh* has been running a modest kirana store in a corner of Bengaluru’s Malleswaram for approximately two decades, but over the last two years, he’s taken a technological leap.
Armed with just a mobile phone, a Point of Sale system and a barcode scanner, Venkatesh is able to assemble his stocks based on daily estimates of demand that are made possible through software provided by global wholesaler Metro Cash and Carry.
Rather than trudge to individual dealers across the city, Venkatesh compares prices of products across online suppliers such as NinjaCart, Jumbotail, Amazon and Udaan. He then orders different products from different companies, depending on who gives him the best deal.
These products are delivered directly to his store. This allows for tight store operations, minimum wastage and higher profits.
Venkatesh said that the software not only helps him to keep tabs on his inventory, but also allows him to remind customers of products they have purchased in the past and may have forgotten to buy on subsequent visits.
Increasing efficiency
Some people see these changes as a step towards eliminating the inefficiencies and corruption attributed to the functioning of the state-regulated Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees. These online systems ostensibly cut out middlemen, allowing for better prices for producers and consumers....
