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80% of Kirana Stores in Crisis: Digitalize or Perish in the Quick Commerce Era!

Quick Summary
  • Kirana stores in India face a crisis, with 80% experiencing market share loss due to quick commerce platforms.
  • A survey by Kiko Live highlights the urgent need for digital transformation as stores adopt strategies like going online, enhancing customer service, and embracing technology.
  • With 13 million kirana stores in India, this shift is critical for their survival and has a significant impact on local economies.
Kirana Stores Loosing Business Due to Quick Commerce
In a dramatic shift in India’s retail landscape, traditional kirana stores are sounding the alarm. A groundbreaking survey by Kiko Live, a tech platform designed to help these local shops, has uncovered that nearly 80% of kirana stores are witnessing a significant drop in their market share due to the rise of quick commerce giants. Here’s how they’re fighting back to keep their doors open.

The Digital Awakening

  • Urgent Call for Change: An overwhelming majority, 80% of kirana store owners, agree that digitalization is no longer optional but essential to stay in the game.
  • Kiko Live Survey: This SaaS solution has been on the ground, talking to store owners, revealing a consensus that embracing technology could be their lifeline.

The Quick Commerce Challenge

  • Sales Impact: The survey indicates that kirana stores have seen a notable decline in their overall sales volume as customers turn to platforms offering instant delivery.
  • Three Major Hurdles:
    • Price Competition: Quick commerce can offer lower prices due to bulk buying and direct sales models.
    • Delivery Speed: They promise groceries in minutes, something kirana stores struggle to match.
    • Product Availability: Traditional stores often can’t keep up with the product diversity and availability on quick commerce apps.

Strategies for Survival

  • Going Online: Store owners are now looking to establish an online presence, with many considering platforms like ONDC to expand their reach.
  • Enhancing Customer Service: Kirana stores are aiming to improve customer loyalty through better service, perhaps by offering home delivery or personalized shopping experiences.
  • Technology Adoption: From digital payment systems to inventory management, technology is seen as the key to competing with the speed and efficiency of quick commerce.

A Glimpse into the Future

  • Optimism Amidst Challenge: Despite the hurdles, there’s a silver lining with many store owners optimistic about growth if they can adapt quickly.
  • Community Impact: With around 13 million kirana stores in India, this shift could have profound effects on local economies and communities.
The narrative is clear: kirana stores at the heart of India’s neighborhoods are at a crossroads. The choice is stark – embrace digital transformation or risk fading into obscurity as the world moves online. The resilience of these local shops has been tested, but with the right tech tools, there’s hope yet for a comeback.

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