Metro Cash & Carry launches platform to boost kirana digitalisation

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Mar 15, 2023

Fast moving consumer goods retailer Metro Cash & Carry has launched a ‘Smart Kirana Academy’ in partnership with Smart Kirana Delhi Members and the India Centre for Policy Research and Governance to promote the digitalisation of kirana stores to boost growth. 

The Smart Kirana Academy is a learning platform which is designed to spread awareness about how the modernise kirana stores and the benefits to doing so, the Economic Times reported. The new platform will help kirana stores across India increase profitability and grow their businesses sustainably.
 
“Five years ago, we brainstormed and conceptualised our ‘Smart Kirana program’ wherein our aim was to help kiranas transform by digitalising and modernising their operations,” said Metro Cash & Carry India’s managing director and CEO Arvind Mediratta, ET Retail reported. “Kiranas saw huge value in our program after witnessing over 40% to 50% growth in their sales and improved cash flows and footfalls.” 

According to the business, it has transformed the operations of over 2,000 kirana stores across India by giving them the tools to leverage digital solutions. Despite increasing competition from new retail channels, Metro Cash & Carry has seen sales of ‘smart’ kiranas increase, indicating that digitised kirana stores will flourish in the coming years.