New Delhi, Nov 7 (KNN) Commerce and Industries Minister Piyush Goyal wants e-commerce companies to make kiranas part of their growth story.

In a meeting which was held on November 5, to understand the business model of e-commerce —accounting, investment pipeline and future inclusion of kirana stores, Goyal asked the US-based e-commerce giant Amazon to work with the unorganised retail sector.

Reportedly, the Department for the Promotion of Industry and Internal trade (DPIIT) has written to e-commerce firms to seek suggestions on how the small retailer and neighbourhood stores can become a part of the larger business. Thus, it is expected that the government will soon come up with policies for it.

According to media reports, almost every major e-commerce platform Myntra, Walmart, Flipkart Reliance, Grofers and Big basket have started working with the unorganised retail shops.

Several e-commerce players like Reliance Retail, Flipkart and Myntra, among others, have already started collaborating with neighbourhood stores as delivery partners to help with hyperlocal deliveries. The kirana stores will also act as delivery and pick up points.

Furthermore, the US-based retail chain Walmart has launched a ‘Mera kirana’ programme to advise the neighbourhood stores on using low-cost modern techniques and processes such as assortment planning, layout and fixtures, displays, backroom, licenses, safe food handling, customer retention, and value-added services.

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