DH NEWS SERVICE
Amritsar, Nov 30
Coca-Cola India, in partnership with Kandhari Beverages Pvt. Ltd., is celebrating Punjab’s micro retailer community of dhabas and retailers through it’s
‘Locally Yours’ campaign. The campaign shines a spotlight on local retailers’ whose entrepreneurial spirit keep communities thriving.
Together with its bottling partners, Coca-Cola India is enabling dhaba and kirana owners with cooling infrastructure, regular product supplies, and access to its digital ordering platform, Coke Buddy. These tools help retailers grow their businesses, attract customers, and adapt to an increasingly digital and competitive marketplace while contributing to India’s evolving highway and micro-retail economy.
Ram Kumar, a highway dhaba owner from Punjab shared how support from Coca-Cola India has helped his business grow.
“Running a dhaba is not just about serving food. It is a responsibility because the business supports many families who work here. Over the years we have created stable jobs for our cooks, service staff and suppliers, and the growth of the dhaba means growth for all of them. The support from Coca-Cola India has been very helpful in this journey.”
Sweety Bansal, a Chandigarh-based kirana owner said, “When I started my shop in 2015, Coca-Cola supported me with a cooler and regular deliveries. Having chilled Coca-Cola at the counter drew customers in, and that helped my business grow. Even today, their service is reliable. Even if stock runs out at night, it’s restocked by morning.”
The company’s AI-enabled eB2B platform, Coke Buddy, enables small retailers to place orders easily, track deliveries in real time, and manage inventory efficiently – helping them run their stores with greater convenience and confidence, making them more agile and future-ready.
Sundeep Bajoria, Vice President – India Operations, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia said, “Through innovative retail partnerships, advanced cooling technology and targeted support for kirana stores, Coca-Cola India is strengthening traditional trade in Punjab. By combining modern infrastructure with robust on-ground support, we are enabling retailers to meet evolving consumer needs while reinforcing a resilient distribution network. This approach not only drives business performance but also creates meaningful consumer experiences.”
Taran Kandhari, Director, Kandhari Beverages Pvt. Ltd. said, “Punjab has a vibrant retail network, and kiranas and dhabas remain at the core of its consumption story. Together with Coca-Cola India, we’re expanding cold-chain capacity, improving service reach, and empowering retailers with tools that enhance both operations and consumer experience.
Our goal is to ensure every outlet we serve is equipped to grow with its community.”
Coca-Cola India’s commitment to Punjab extends beyond retail supporting local entrepreneurship, creating employment, and driving shared prosperity through its extensive distribution and bottling network. The company continues to invest in initiatives that help retailers, suppliers, and communities to progress together, in line with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
