Expanding the availability of its popular range of naturally grown and processed products the Girijan Cooperative Corporation has launched two mobile stores.
The two stores on wheels are going around popular tourist spots and residential areas to promote the product range and also sell the products to customers. “In the 10 days since its soft launch the response has been good and in fact we have been able to notch up sales worth Rs 6000 in a two-hour visit to the Beach Road,” GCC Vice Chairman and Managing Director A.S.P.S. Ravi Prakash told The Hindu here on Friday.
Most of the customers are visiting the stall and directly buying the products, only a few are exploring the range and need to be explained the features of some of the products like the Triphala Ras, one of the shop assistants explained.
The most popular are Girijan Honey, Triphala Ras and Nannari Sherbet, next are the soaps and then coffee, tamarind and most of the customers are unaware of the entire range of products sold by the GCC, he added.
The mobile stores have already visited Pendurthy, Simhachalam and Gajuwaka and would be going around the rest of the city in phases, Mr Ravi Prakash explained.
Franchise model
“We are planning a franchise model for increasing the number of outlets. One such franchise is ready for inauguration at Gajuwaka,” he added.
The franchisee would be paid maintenance expenses which would ensure that the stores maintain the uniformity and deliver a quality experience to the customer.
This is in line with the government plans for providing a sustainable livelihood for enterprising youth, especially educated tribal youth, he said.
The positive performance over the last two years has helped GCC wipe out the accumulated losses and the outlook for the future is bright with the proactive support of Tribal Welfare Minister Ravela Kishore Babu, he said.
GCC is likely to enter into an agreement with Walmart India to sell its products across India through the Walmart stores. The details are being worked out, he said.
GCC and Amul are exploring opening of co-branded stores across the two Telugu-speaking states to market the products of both the cooperatives, the Girijan Managing Director said.
