New Delhi: Reliance industries is expanding at an accelerated pace. It is opening new stores in its retail business, enhancing online delivery, and expanding to more cities and towns in India. Reliance is attempting to be a one stop shop to the India families with groceries to electronics. On paper, this expansion resembles a success case.
Yet down here, there is a multitude of little store owners of kirana stores concerned.
The Indian life has been marked by kirana stores over decades. They have known their customers by name, provide credit and deliver goods at the doorstep. But as big organizations such as Reliance join the local markets, the competition has gone up by a notch higher.
According to many kirana owners, the customers have become more price-conscious. Large outlets have discounts, cashback and app based deals. Small shopkeepers are not always able to compete to such prices due to their purchase in big volumes and additional expenses.
Reliance claims that it does not attempt to kill kirana stores. As a matter of fact, the firm has collaborated with numerous small stores via its online platforms. There are also owners of kirana that have an advantage of the supply chain and faster delivery with Reliance systems.
Nevertheless, not all of them feel safe. Much of the concern held by many shop owners is that in the long run big companies will dominate prices as well as customer data. They fear that as soon as the competition decreases, the discounts might cease, and small shops might not be so significant anymore.
Customers are also divided. Others are fond of large stores and delivery via the internet. Some other consumers use kirana stores to get a personalized service and trust.
