CSC’s Grameen eStore platform to list Coca-Cola’s products

To promote consumer products’ availability at doorsteps in rural India through local entrepreneurs and eKirana stores, Common Services Centers under the aegis of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology announced a partnership with Coca-Cola India to list Coca Cola products on its Grameen eStore platform.

Common Services Centers (CSCs) Scheme is one of key enablers of the digital India program. CSCs are the access points for eDelivery of G2C, education, healthcare, agriculture and financial services to villages in India, thereby contributing to a digitally and financially inclusive society. CSCs are more than just service delivery points in rural India. They are positioned as change agents, promoting rural entrepreneurship and building rural capacities and livelihoods. It is a pan-India network catering to the country’s regional, geographic, linguistic and cultural diversity, thus enabling the Government’s mandate of a socially, financially and digitally inclusive society.

CSC’s Grameen eStore platform

According to the press statement, the partnership will make available, affordable essential hydration through CSC’s Grameen eStore platform. In the pilot phase, Coca-Cola’s portfolio of products will be listed on Grameen eStore across the states of Andhra Pradesh & Telengana, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

CSC and Coca-Cola’s partnership serves the dual purpose of providing last-mile connectivity of essential and affordable hydration to citizens’ doorsteps and promoting rural entrepreneurship and building livelihoods by mapping supply points to Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs).

Vocal for local

Elaborating on the rural eCommerce platform of CSC, Dinesh Tyagi chief executive officer, CSC SPV said, “The idea for Grameen eStore exemplifies the prime minister’s call for being vocal for local. Through this initiative, VLEs are playing a critical role in connecting producers and companies with rural consumers right at their doorsteps. The partnership with Coca Cola will allow the stores to diversify their offerings while providing customers access to new products. It will be a win-win proposition.”

Announcing the association, T Krishnakumar president, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia said, “We are privileged to partner with CSC in their effort to pave the path for digital and economic empowerment of our rural citizens. This initiative will help us with last-mile connectivity to ensure people are hydrated and have their relevant choice of beverages. It underscores our long-term commitment towards creating a sustainable business in India through responsible actions and shared growth.”

“We are a ‘total beverage company with local roots,’ We have adopted a hyperlocal strategy focused on strengthening the regional connect, both in terms of choice and reach. On the one hand, while we have been advancing beverage localization and developing an ethnic beverage portfolio to suit various regions and palates. On the other, we are adapting to the ‘new normal’ and using the merits of its agility to enhance last-mile delivery of relevant beverage choice for our consumers.” he added.

CSC Grameen eStore is a hyper-local eCommerce platform. The eStore is available as a mobile app on Google Play Store. Citizens can download the app to order provisions from their nearest CSC.