MUMBAI: High-end service from the neighbourhood grocer could soon become a reality with a German wholesaler planning to train them to face the challenge from organised retail chains.
German wholesaler `Metro cash and carry' plans to train the grocers, who will be forming a sizeable share of their customer base, so that they are adept in facing challenges posed by organised retail chains like Reliance, More, Spinach.
"We see ourselves as defenders of small traders and are dedicated to create new programmes for the kiranawallas so that they can face the competition in the future," MC&C's managing director James Scott said.
MC&C launched their first store in suburban Bhandup earlier this week wherein registered retailers will be able to pick up necessary products from under a single roof.
"We plan to tie-up with some financial institution to facilitate better and faster loans for the grocers. Such people always have the difficulty in landing up credit," Scott said on the sidelines of the launch.
Scott said MC&C will also give other know-how useful in the day-to-day running of the shop.
We will also train them in various aspects like design of the store and changes which can be made. For this, we will employ trained professionals who can help in transformation.
"Another important aspect for the trader is marketing and we will help in this as well with centralised marketing support solutions," he said.
MC&C, which has stores in Bangalore and Hyderabad, has invested around Euro 20 million in the Bhandup store and plans to add more stores across the country.
