Horticultural Producers’ Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society (HOPCOMS), Mysore, is coming up with a large supermarket-type “bazaar” for farm-fresh vegetables and fruits on a two-acre plot near the Lalitha Mahal Palace here.
Unlike its 43 outlets here, the HOPCOMS plans to give a new and modern touch to the upcoming store on the lines of fruit and vegetable sections in supermarkets and malls. The new store is coming up at a cost of Rs. 20 lakh with funding from the Karnataka Horticulture Federation (KHF).
With ample space for parking, customers can also purchase fruit juices, which will be sold in a lounge, apart from shopping.
The KHF is supporting the modernisation of HOPCOMS outlets. One of its oldest outlets at the city bus-stand here was modernised a few years ago.
Managing director (in-charge), HOPCOMS, K.B. Krishnamurthy told The Hindu that the work is under way to build the store at a farm (previously under the control of the Horticulture Department) which also houses a procurement centre and a fruit ripening chamber. “The proposed store is an attempt to provide more facilities to customers,” he said.
Mr. Krishnamurthy said there were also plans to market packaged fruit juices of private manufacturers at HOPCOMS outlets here to improve their earnings.
“The HOPCOMS outlets in Bangalore have already been marketing juices of private companies and therefore a proposal will be placed before the governing council here seeking its nod for replicating the model,” he said.
Profit The Mysore HOPCOMS made a net profit of Rs. 50 lakh last year. Despite competition from supermarkets, it earned good revenue, thanks to the support from the department, the officials and the staff, Mr. Krishnamurthy said.
“The staff had no option but to work hard and improve earnings to remain in the market,” Mr. Krishnamurthy said.
Revenue is expected to go up further with a proposal to open 11 new outlets here, he added.
The grape juice sold by HOPCOMS in 200 ml bottles has established a market here, despite competition from private packaged fruit juices. It is sold in paper cups at its outlet at the city bus-stand. With summer peaking, sales of the juice have picked up.
“Only the grape juice is fast moving. We had also introduced mango juice, but it did not receive a good response,” he said.
