Booker India Pvt Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Booker Group Plc – the Cash and Carry operator with 173 stores in UK – opened its first store in Cash and Carry format in Mumbai. Around 35,000 square feet store was officially launched last week in the western suburbs of Mumbai. Sources confirmed that the store has had a total investment of Rs 8 Crore.
The portfolio of products will include fresh, grocery and staples, processed food and beverages, tobacco, homecare and personal care products with special emphasis on the needs of the catering sector. This will be full service cash & carry outlet with 100 percent sourcing from the Indian companies to cater to the need of the Kirana stores, hoteliers and restaurants.
Booker will bring in significant expertise in terms of systems, processes and efficiency in managing the supply chain and back end operation to make the entire value chain more efficient which will be passed on to the retail community for their benefit which in turn will benefit the ultimate end consumers. Booker India has put a strong local team in place to implement the strategic blue print worked out for the Indian business.
“Strong processes and systems orientation based on the learning from Booker UK with local adaptation and modification will be the key strategic drivers for the Indian business,” said Zunaid Bangee, MD, of Booker India.
Booker India has already registered over 20,000 retailers and caterers covering the target segments in the close vicinity of the store. “By working closely with the Indian suppliers and vendors, and focusing on the needs of the retailers and caterers, Booker will make a difference in B2B format and establish a new benchmark of efficiency in cash & carry business in India,” concluded Bangee.
—IndiaRetailing Bureau
