Saugata runs a general store named Chakraborty Enterprise in the city of Barrackpore. He has been associated with Flipkart’s kirana delivery program since 2020. He was informed about the benefits of the program through a manager at Flipkart’s logistic center, who guided him and helped him through the onboarding process. He earns a surplus income of about Rs 10,000 to 12,000 every month, delivering about 40 to 50 parcels per day.
Another such kirana partner is Bunny Singh, who owns a grocery store named Maya Stores in Barrackpore, Kolkata, which is run by his mother. He was an Ekart logistics partner associated with Flipkart earlier in 2017 and then later joined the kirana delivery program in 2020, due to the flexibility of the program. He earns a surplus income of about Rs 12,000 per month, delivering about 40 to 60 parcels per day. He is now able to educate his kids from reputed schools and provide the learning necessary for their growth.
Launched in 2019, the program helped kirana partners provide for their families, save up for children’s education, repay loans and meet other personal needs. Flipkart provides them with comprehensive training, including teaching the finer nuances of delivery, the functioning of the app and customer service. With over 1 lakh kirana partners onboarded with Flipkart in 2021, it is a testament to Flipkart’s commitment to the partnership with India’s oldest form of retail to augment their incomes and create newer avenues for them through digital means. Last year, Flipkart also provided insurance cover to help out kirana delivery partners to shield them from any adverse impact of the COVID-19 virus.