Context :
Extract from
the above news report appearing in today’s Economic Times :
Ø The
app will connect both last mile neighborhood stores and
consumers, leveraging data and technology capabilities of
Reliance’s telecom business Jio
and the cash-and-carry infrastructure of its retailing arm.
Ø According
to officials, the new venture will be an aggregator where it will,
# Partner
local grocers
# Equip
them with points of sale (PoS)
terminals,
# ( Provide
) low interest working capital,
# (
Train in ) inventory management skills,
and
# (
Take care of ) GST
compliance.
Ø The
site offers ,
# Free home delivery,
# Pre-registration
discounts and
# Options
to buy more than 50,000 grocery products online.
Ø Kiranas
are being registered and given POS machines with integrated billing
applications
Ø Also,
it enables,
# Digital transactions,
# Promotions
including loyalty,
# Discount coupons by fast moving consumer
goods firms and
# Supply chain management
=========================================================
And here is what I “ envisaged “ 18 months back, in my following blog :
MA = DA x
4,000,000 ? [ 17 July 2018 ]
Extract :
SALES :
All of your merchandize will be available for selection /
ordering on our ONLINE web portal
This online presence of your merchandize will expand / extend your "
reach " to thousands of consumers in your neighbourhood
You will need to only focus on OFFLINE ( across-the-counter )
sales to consumers who walk into your store
For OFFLINE sales , we will install in your stores , all the
necessary Computers / POS terminals / Routers / Internet Connections / Mobile Wallet Payment systems and an
end-to-end , RETAIL MANAGEMENT software
All of your OFFLINE sales data will get transferred to our
Central Server
===================
SUPPLY :
We will deliver to your store , all merchandize on "
Consignment " basis
This means , you do NOT need to pay us for what we deliver to you store
!
Till sold , all goods in your store will be our " stock
"
This way , you
do NOT need any " Working Capital " as far as your stocks are
concerned
We will also tie-up with the manufacturers
You don't need to have any interaction / dealing with the
manufacturers
===================
INVENTORY :
On a continuous basis , our web server will keep a track of each and every
item of merchandize sold from your stores
Our Server will calculate , your " Stock Movement
"
Based on this data , our Server will compute / set for each item
:
# Minimum Stock Level
# Alarm Stock Level
# Stock Re-Order Level
# Re-Order Quantity ( Minimum Batch Size )
Based on this logic , our Server will instruct the relevant
" Merchandize
Manufacturers " ( or their dealers / stockists ) , to deliver the stipulated
" Re-Order Quantities " to your stores
A " Re-Order Instruction intimation " , will get
delivered to your computer
Upon arrival , you will need to update the data
From time to time , our Software will also figure out your
current stocks of " Extremely Slow Moving " and " Obsolete /
Expired " items , and arrange for " Return Delivery " , which
you will need to enter in your database
===================
DELIVERY :
Not only we will deliver the merchandize to your store , but we will also pick up
" Ordered Items " ( for ONLINE orders only ) , from your store and deliver the same to your
customers !
Initially we will employ manual " Delivery Persons "
for this but , before long , we will deploy a fleet of autonomous DRONES for this
purpose
This fleet will cover " Kirana Stores " and "
Online Customers " , located in pre-designated areas , covering 4 sq km (
2 km x 2 km )
We are in talk with www.What3Words.com , to enable precise
delivery through your 10th floor window !
These drones
will get their " Delivery Instructions " directly from our Web Server ,
for all ONLINE orders
When these drones
arrive at your Store to pick up the items ( to be delivered ) , they will
transfer ( Blue Tooth / NFC ) and display on your Computer screen , following
data :
# Online Order
Number / time / date
# Items covered
with description / value of each
# Customer Name /
Address
# Mode of Online
Payment / Bank Details
# Your online
account CREDIT details , giving,
( Sales Value ) - ( Purchase Price
)
" Purchase Price " of goods in your
stock will be
based on FIFO method
========================
FINANCE :
As explained earlier , you will have a bare minimum need for
" Working Capital " , since all of your stock will be on "
Consignment " basis
We will collect the " ONLINE PAYMENTS " directly from the customers and " Credit " the same to your " online sales account " with us
Against same account , we will " Debit " the " purchase price " ( price at which you purchase the merchandize from Reliance ) of the goods sold
OUR SERVER WILL ALSO TAKE CARE OF ALL GST PAYMENTS AND FILING OF GST RETURNS
As far as OFFLINE sales is concerned , all the data captured through POS terminal will get transferred to our Central Server
=====================
MARKETING :
Not only will we carry out all marketing for your ONLINE sales , we will help you with your OFFLINE marketing , through introduction of the following technology-enhanced features :
# Arranging a better display of merchandize on your shelves / re-arranging of shelves
# Introducing Augmented Reality ( AR ) for clothes / fashion goods in " Trial Rooms " for
giving
the customers , an experience of " touch - feel - looks "
# Introducing Robots to answer customer inquiries
# Eliminating " Check Out Counters " , based on " Payments through Bio-metric
Recognition " of customers
# Embedding RFID sensors in each item of merchandize and RFID readers embedded in
Shopping Carts
# Improving your window display thru rotation
# Introducing music
# Eventually replacing " Physical " merchandize with " Holographic Display " of
merchandize on your
store shelves !
========================================================
Relevant readings :