Chennai: You can soon buy branded retail products at your doorstep, as Sahara Q Shop, the FMCG and retail arm of Sahara India Parivar plans to enter the Tamil Nadu market. The company has decided to open exclusive kirana-type shops and introduce mobile trucks, apart from increasing its distributor network across the state.
“We will open 1,900 shops close to residential areas in the state by 2016 and give direct and indirect employment to 4,900 people,” Romie Dutt, executive director, Sahara Q Shop told Deccan Chronicle on Thursday. He added that 21 shops would be opened by March 2014 and another 550 by March 2015.
The retail major has one warehouse and 131 general trade distributors in Tamil Nadu. “We will increase the number of distributors to 200 by 2014,” he said, adding that the company would also launch 55 quality mobile shops (QMS) in mechanised rickshaws and small vans by March 2014 to reach people at their doorsteps.
Further, Dutt said, the company would also tie up with local manufacturers to produce TN-specific products. “We are looking at manufacturing localised items like banana chips, pickles, sunflower oil and rice. We already have two mineral water manufacturing units near Chennai,” he added.
Sahara’s FMCG arm manufactures and sells 895 products starting from staple food, processed food, water and beverages, home care, personal care, home appliances, kitchenware and general merchandise. “Our bottom line is 100 per cent unadulterated food,” said Dutt.
“For example, check the list of items in Amla hair oil. It will have only three per cent of amla extract, but 50 per cent mineral oil and 40 per cent vegetable oil,” he said, adding that people should look at the ingredients on the pack, as adulteration is rampant in the market.
“We want to change the outlook of people and give them the choice of both unadulterated products as well as quality ones. In order to compete with other companies, we will sell similar products at the same cost but with no adulteration. We will also sell quality products that will be priced slightly higher,” he added.
