Local retailers plan to increase online presence

Retail traders and grocery shop owners in the city are determined to make their presence felt online to retain clients after witnessing a drop in business due to lockdown restrictions and facing stiff competition from e-commerce portals.

The Pune District Retailers’ Association has said that a mobile application is under development to provide an online platform to retailers to connect with local clients. Retailers will be trained to expand their presence online and offer home deliveries. Dealers have effectively seen an expansion in home delivery orders during the pandemic.

Sachin Nivangune, president of the association, said individuals have understood the significance of online trade and home deliveries to accelerate business. “Most traders faced stiff competition from e-commerce companies during the last year. Even many regular customers picked e-commerce services. In this manner, we are intending to be aggressive in bringing back clients. Going online is the need of great importance and shopkeepers are ready for it,” Nivangune added.

A shopkeeper from Shivajinagar said that the government must provide support to local shopkeepers as they have faced losses because of the restrictions.