Monday, November 27, 2023

Coca-Cola Advances Digital Footprint By Joining The ONDC Network


* Unveils Coke Shop for its retail partners

Coca-Cola India has announced its onboarding onto the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). The initial association is being supported through SellerApp, which will help Coca-Cola leverage the ONDC network with its data-driven insights, market intelligence and strategies. Further, Coca-Cola has also launched its own marketplace, the 'Coke Shop’ exclusively on the ONDC platform. This innovative marketplace will transform how consumers interact with Coca-Cola products and empower retailers across the country.

By joining ONDC Network — an initiative of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India — Coca-Cola India is poised to access a vast and diverse consumer base in the digital commerce arena, ensuring the widespread availability of its products.

To facilitate this seamless experience, SellerApp, the technology enabler, will streamline order management and inventory tracking and easily identify ONDC orders. Through SellerApp’s data-driven approach, Coca-Cola’s sellers can identify trends, patterns, and opportunities within their specific market segment, enabling them to adjust their strategies promptly and effectively.

Through the 'Coke Shop’ marketplace model, Coca-Cola is benefitting retailers by enabling them with another channel to sell their products whilst simultaneously facilitating multiple touchpoints for consumers to purchase from. Retailers who have not been able to access major e-commerce platforms will now have an opportunity to regain customers and cater to a wider audience.

In order to execute this model successfully, Coca-Cola has partnered with nStore Technologies, who will play the role of a ‘Technology Catalyst' enabling retailers to chart their digital growth strategy with a focus on integrating digital order-to-deliver and customer engagement solutions for retailers.

Speaking on the occasion, T Koshy, the MD & CEO of ONDC, said, "We are happy to see Coca-Cola join onto our network on this transformative journey and give consumers an exceptional shopping experience while offering expanded choices for buyers on the network. At ONDC, we aim to empower local retailers, help them build digital visibility, and boost their business. We look forward to potential participation from all businesses and all buyers in this network.”

Ambuj Deo Singh, Vice President Digital Acceleration Office, Coca-Cola India, and Southwest Asia, added, “ONDC has truly democratized the e-commerce landscape by empowering sellers with greater access to digital markets. We are happy to be a part of this journey where the focus is on transforming the online marketplace by making it more inclusive and consumer centric. We look forward to a continued association with ONDC.”

Moon Beverages Limited, the bottling partner for Coca-Cola in India, will be the ‘Network Participant’ for Coca-Cola’s offerings on ONDC, ensuring consumers have seamless access to the company’s beverage portfolio in India.

“We’re privileged to leverage our distribution expertise to ensure that Coca-Cola products are readily available to our consumers, reflecting the highest standards of quality and accessibility,” said Anant Agarwal, Promoter, Moon Beverages Limited.

Brij Purohit, Co-founder of SellerApp, commented, “The exponential growth of smartphone users engaging with the ONDC app presents a remarkable opportunity for brands like Coca-Cola. SellerApp’s suite of e-commerce solutions will empower such brands to harness the power of data analytics, enhancing their visibility, conversion rates, and overall online performance.”

Pradeep K Sampath, CEO, nStore ReTech Private Limited said, “nStore’s core mission is to fill the gaps in the existing supply chain effectively and create an Online Union Offline world where discovery and order happen in the online medium and fulfilment happens from the existing retail distribution offline. We are happy to collaborate with Moon Beverages Limited; this model of inclusive commerce is sure to redefine the way we have seen e-commerce being played out in the market, catalyzed by ONDC.”

This alliance represents an exciting milestone in Coca-Cola's commitment to innovation and consumer satisfaction. This exciting new online marketplace will reshape how retailers and consumers interact with Coca-Cola products and enhance their overall shopping experience.

About The Coca-Cola Company

Coca-Cola in India is one of the country’s leading beverage companies, offering a range of high-quality and refreshing beverage options to consumers. The company, in line with its vision of ‘Beverages For Life’, offers a wide portfolio of products which includes hydration, sports, sparkling, coffee, tea, nutrition, juice and dairy based products. In India its beverage range includes Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Diet Coke, Thums Up, Charged by Thums Up, Fanta, Limca, Sprite, Maaza, Minute Maid range of juices and juice beverages. The Company also offers hydration beverages including Limca Sportz, Smartwater, Kinley, Dasani and Bonaqua packaged drinking water and Kinley Club Soda. Premium products constitute Schweppes range and Smartwater. In addition, it offers Costa Coffee and organic green tea-based beverage- Honest Tea amongst its range of coffee and Tea. The Company is constantly transforming its portfolio, from reducing sugar in its drinks to bringing innovative new products to market.

The Company along with its owned bottling operations and franchise bottling partners has a strong network of close to 4 million retail outlets through which it refreshes millions of consumers across the country. It seeks to positively impact people’s lives, communities and the planet through water replenishment, packaging recycling, sustainable agriculture initiatives and carbon emission reductions across its value chain.

Globally together with its bottling partners, The Coca-Cola Company employs more than 700,000 people, helping to bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at www.cocacolacompany.com and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About ONDC

ONDC is a government-backed initiative that brings together leading e-commerce players and sellers, empowering them to unlock the full potential of online marketplaces. Through collaboration and shared resources, the ONDC network aims to drive innovation, optimise operations, and revolutionise the e-commerce landscape.

About SellerApp

SellerApp (https://www.sellerapp.com/) is a five-year-old company specialising in e-commerce data analytics. With a global network of over 150,000 sellers, SellerApp provides business intelligence solutions that enhance efficiency, promote collaboration, and unlock growth potential for brands across the world. In 2022, the company was acknowledged as a Technology Innovator and received the Excellence Award @ Software Product Management Summit India 2023. SellerApp is one of the initial ONDC seller participants enabling brands to seamlessly onboard. 

About nStore

nStore is a revolutionary SaaS-based digital platform in India, dedicated to fostering an 'Online Union Offline' (OUO) retail experience. nStore’s nPos and nLincs solutions empower small and medium-sized retailers to match the customer experience provided by online players. nPos streamlines in-store operations, while nLincs connects stores with their customers online - no website or B2C app is required.

nStore believes in a 'PhyGital' (Physical + Digital) future. Their unique Community Commerce Model connects local stores with the communities within a 1.5-2.0 km radius, enhancing visibility, order processing, and timely delivery. 

As a Network Participant and Technology Service Provider on ONDC, nStore is deeply committed to supporting SMB retailers, making them discoverable and assisting them in navigating the digital landscape. With the growing trend of hyperlocal engagement and delivery, nStore is perfectly poised to seize these opportunities by leveraging ONDC.

nStore alliance with technology providers in BFSI and Large Enterprise sector for digital commerce adoption among small stores helps in creating an engaging and balanced ecosystem. Additionally, nStore is the official food aggregator with IRCTC E-catering, enabling seamless food ordering from neighborhood restaurants for train passengers.

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