Tech startups test new models for a foothold in grocery retail

BENGALURU: At a time when big players such as Reliance Industries, Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart are doubling down on grocery retail, more than half a dozen technology startups — including Express Stores, Behtar Stores, Gully Network, Good-Box, ShopKirana, NIFLR and Jumbotail — are experimenting with new models in the segment.

While some of these businesses are taking over the functioning of the full kirana (corner) store to control merchandising, inventory, invoicing, financing and branding, others are creating self-checkout stores and technology solutions for retailers.

“Physical retail is such a large, fragmented, differentiated and unorganised business that no one solution can fit this underserved market,” said Ajay Nain, founder, Gully Network Retail.