E-commerce policy may incentivise kiranas for joining online ecosystem

New Delhi, June 20 India may soon incentivise kirana stores which become part of the e-commerce ecosystem by converting their operations to handle both online and offline sales.

The special package of incentives for the smaller format mom and pop stores is likely to be a part of the e-commerce policy being drafted by the Commerce and Industry Ministry.

"We will offer incentives for kiranas willing to integrate their operations on the e-commerce platform so that the switchover could be swift. The incentives could be in the form of interest subventions on loans required for the switchover or as one time grant," said officials privy to the development.

Several technology companies and e-commerce entities, including Facebook, Walmart and Amazon, have offered to provide necessary technologies that would help kiranas integrate with e-commerce platforms. Trade bodies have also launched various initiatives for this switchover that also requires small store owners to get necessary skills to handle online sales.

The policy is also likely to encourage the existing e-commerce players to join local stores on their formats and facilitate their sales. In fact, e-commerce companies would be asked to put full details of the sellers on their marketplace so that buyers can take informed decisions and even look to use products sold on the platform by nearby shops for swift delivery and service.

The Draft National Ecommerce Policy was floated by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade

( With inputs from IANS )