The Horticultural Producers’ Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society (HOPCOMS) in Mysuru has proposed to open its outlets in Mysuru early to spread out its customer base and offset the competition posed by private vegetable and fruit retailers, including supermarkets.
The society operates about 46 outlets across the city and made a business of Rs. 1.27 crore last month. The net profit earned was Rs. 6.5 lakh the previous month.
As the society is planning to open its outlets early (6 a.m.) on the lines of milk booths, the main hurdle before it is the shortage of manpower. With the staff strength of 115, including 20 employees awaiting regularisation, the society is sceptical on whether it could fulfil its agenda.
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By opening its outlets early (the shops currently open between 9 a.m. and 9.30 a.m.), the society aims to score on three aspects – improve its earnings, serve customers better and tackle the competition in the fruit and vegetable business. HOPCOM outlets open early in Bengaluru and this had reportedly helped its customers pick up vegetables while returning from their morning walk.
B.C. Anand, Managing Director, HOPCOMS, Mysuru told The Hindu : “We have proposed to open our outlets early to strengthen and expand our customer base .”
Mr. Anand said the proposal to open outlets early had been on their agenda for long but could not be executed due to shortage of staff. “He said a proposal for regularising 20 contract employees, who have been working with the society for many years, had been sent to the Registrar of Cooperative Societies.
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Shankar Bennur
Special Correspondent
BOX1
Mango delight at
HOPCOMS soon
Shankar Bennur
Special Correspondent
MYSURU:
Good quality mangoes will be available at the HOPCOMS’ outlets in Mysuru after May 20. To a question on the non-availability of mango varieties at its outlets, HOPCOMS Managing Director B C Anand told The Hindu that the mangoes available in the open market were not entirely good as they might have been ripened artificially. “Naturally-ripened mangoes will be made available at our outlets soon. After the four-day Mango and Jackfruit Mela from May 21, the outlets will get good varieties,” he said.
BOX2
Now, a Jack Fruit Mela
Shankar Bennur
Special Correspondent
MYSURU:
Jack Fruit Mela, which is being organised for the first time in Mysuru, has coincided with the Mango Mela at the Curzon Park here. Visitors will get twin benefits - best varieties of mango and jack fruit – under one roof. The four-day mela starts from May 21.
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Society made a business of Rs 1.27 crore last month