The initiative blends capacity building with on-ground support, ensuring both retailers and consumers benefit from a stronger, more connected marketplace
Coca-Cola India, along with its bottling partner Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), is working to accelerate retail growth in Odisha by empowering local shop owners with modern skills, upgraded infrastructure, and pathways to expand their businesses, the company said in a statement.
The initiative blends capacity building with on-ground support, ensuring both retailers and consumers benefit from a stronger, more connected marketplace. Central to this effort is the super power retailer program, run in partnership with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), which trains small and micro retailers, particularly Kirana store owners in customer engagement, inventory planning, and financial management.
“Strengthening the retail ecosystem in key markets like Odisha is a cornerstone of Coca-Cola’s growth strategy in India. By integrating capability-building initiatives with robust infrastructure support, we are not only empowering retailers to meet evolving consumer needs but also reinforcing our distribution network,” highlighted Karan Achpal, Vice President – Franchise Operations, Developing Markets, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia.
Conducted in local languages through classroom sessions in Odisha and via an online certification program nationwide, the initiative has already enabled over 21000 retailers to cater to consumer preferences and market dynamics.
“We see retail development as a shared opportunity for economic progress and stronger communities. Our work in Odisha goes beyond supplying beverages; it is about partnering with local retailers to build their capabilities and help them serve consumers better,” noted Vinay Nair, Chief Commercial Officer at Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages.
The company said that during Odisha’s biggest cultural celebration, Ratha Yatra, it deployed carts managed by local vendors, including women entrepreneurs, generating direct income and extending retail reach during the festival season.
