- ByStartupStory | March 26, 2024
Kiko Live, a leading SaaS solution for neighborhood stores and a Seller Network Participant on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), has reached a significant milestone by successfully processing over 100,000 orders for Kirana stores on the ONDC Network. This achievement underscores Kiko Live’s commitment to empowering local Kirana stores and retailers through digitalization.
Since joining the ONDC Network in December 2023, Kiko Live has witnessed remarkable growth, with a surge from 30-40 orders per day to now consistently processing over 2500 orders per day. This rapid expansion highlights the effectiveness of Kiko Live’s solution in digitizing Kirana stores and enhancing their online presence.
With an estimated 13 million Kirana stores in India generating over $800 billion in annual business, Kiko Live recognizes the vast potential for digitization within this sector. Despite the availability of Quick Commerce, a substantial portion of Kirana-led home delivery business, valued at over $80 billion, still operates through traditional channels such as phone calls and WhatsApp orders. Kiko Live aims to transform this landscape by providing Kirana stores with a digital storefront on the ONDC Network, thereby enabling them to offer their customers an enhanced online shopping experience.
One of the key challenges faced by small retailers in transitioning to online sales has been maintaining high inventory fill rates. Kiko Live has successfully addressed this issue, boasting an impressive 99% order fill rate to date. Moreover, the app’s emphasis on low-cost hyperlocal fulfillment has resulted in order cancellation rates of less than 1% and repeat buying rates exceeding 30%.
Commenting on the achievement, T Koshy, MD & CEO of ONDC, stated, “ONDC Network is helping take digital commerce to every corner of the country in an open, inclusive way that empowers all stakeholders. By creating a level playing field, the Open Network allows small, hyperlocal retailers like Kirana stores to leverage technology, drive new sales channels, and grow their business in ways that were not possible before. We are happy to see Kiko Live’s growth in a short span of 2 months.”
Alok Chawla, Co-Founder of Kiko Live, expressed his excitement, “We celebrate Kiko’s meteoric growth journey, starting with 30-40 orders a day in mid-December 2023, and now helping retailers drive 2500+ orders a day through ONDC Network in just over 3 months. We continue to grow aggressively month on month… We have already helped retailers successfully process over 100,000 orders on ONDC Network and plan to help retailers process over 1.5 million monthly orders before the end of FY25.”
Kiko Live’s success can be attributed to its user-friendly technology and operational efficiency, which includes training programs for retailers and neighborhood promotional activities. With a vision to further empower Kirana stores in the digital economy, Kiko Live aims to continue its rapid growth trajectory and facilitate millions of monthly orders for retailers across India.
