WHAT IS DUKAAN TECH

Dukaan tech' is a term coined for the community of technology companies and start-ups that help kirana stores (mom-and-pop stores) or traders to go digital. Such firms empower small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) such as grocery shops, fruits and vegetable stores, restaurants, electronics shops, fashion and apparel, furniture and jewellery stores to start and manage their businesses over the Internet.

 

Several startups such as Max Wholesale, Jumbotail, KiranaKart and ShopKirana are helping retail stores in placing orders, maintaining inventory, optimising the delivery routes and making payments, all digitally. Most of these apps are free and charge no commissions.

 

Tech firms like Dukaan, OkShop, MyStore by Khatabook and Bikayi enable entrepreneurs to develop and maintain an online presence by providing digital solutions where kirana store owners can create a site or an app, list their goods and services, accept orders, offer local deliveries, and accept online transactions.

 

During the past few months of 2021, many start-ups are helping kirana stores go online.

 

For example, Khatabook unveiled 'Mystore', digital cataloguing start-up DotPe came up with 'Digital Dukaan' and book-keeping app OkCredit launched 'OkShop'. Similarly, fintech start-up MSwipe offers 'MeraOnlineStore' and social commerce platform Meesho has launched 'Popshop'.