Reaffirming its commitment towards small and independent businesses, METRO Cash & Carry India announces 5th edition of ‘Own Business Day’

  • METRO to help list kirana customers’ business on Google to enhance their business visibility & footfalls
  • Digital Solution for Kiranas: Providing ‘special’ offers for customers on METRO e-commerce app
  • Encourages employees to shop at neighborhood Kiranas to help boost their income
  • Independent & own businesses can register on https://www.metro.co.in/own-business-day-2020 or at nearby METRO wholesale stores

Bangalore, 24th September 2020: METRO Cash & Carry, India’s largest modern wholesaler and food specialist is introducing slew of digital solutions for small and medium businesses with its fifth edition of Own Business Day (OBD); a special day celebrated on second Tuesday of October every year (13th October). The registrations have already been opened for all independent ‘own businesses’ to participate. As part of the initiative, the company is helping small businesses & kiranas to list their business on google to augment their business visibility, revenue and footfalls. Apart from rolling out special offers for the kiranas to stay agile in the upcoming festive season, kiranas are also being incentivized for ordering on METRO’s e-commerce app, which also includes free delivery on select days.

This year, the celebration is also to laud the efforts of the resilient kiranas and small, medium businesses who have been fighting to sustain operations and combat the adverse effects of COVID-19 pandemic. To drive festive cheer, METRO is inviting participation from Kirana stores and other small and medium business owners across the country. Businesses can either register on https://www.metro.co.in/own-business-day-2020 or visit the nearest METRO wholesale stores.

In preparation of the upcoming festive season, METRO has partnered with its supplier partners to provide ‘special’ discounts to kiranas and small, medium businesses who can then choose to pass on the ‘special’ offers to their end customers. The entire initiative is aimed at driving more footfalls, enhance customer base and revenue stream for business owners, especially during the festivities. In addition to this, METRO is also encouraging its workforce to participate in the Own Business Day celebration by asking them support their favorite Kirana store that enriches their life every-day and gifting INR 1500 to each employee to shop at any Kirana stores registered with METRO.

Speaking about Own Business Day, Mr. Arvind Mediratta, MD & CEO, METRO Cash & Carry India said, “We have always been vocal about empowering small businesses and kiranas with digital solutions and have promoted technology enabled inclusive growth for them. COVID-19 crisis has led to dramatic shifts in consumer behavior, and own businesses today needs to be more forthcoming in embracing technology. Continuing our efforts to acknowledge and empower them, we have outlined a special program that would help in seamless adoption and execution of smart technology by these kiranas & independent businesses.”He further added, “Over the last 17 years in India, we have been part of several success stories of small and medium businesses, and seen them evolve. Covid-19 pandemic is posing as a major threat to the survival of small businesses & MSMEs who are struggling with low demand, liquidity crunch and a general sense of uncertainty. In these unprecedented times, it is important to praise and recognize the effort of these independent businesses. ‘Own Business Day’ is our endeavor to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit of the country.”

The special day reiterates METRO’s mission of being ‘Champion for Independent Business’, and is part of METRO’s global campaign to celebrate & contribute to the growth of independent businesses and foster their business visibility to build a stronger network.

To highlight importance of ‘own businesses’ to the local economy and to create new opportunities for them; METRO Cash & Carry had launched Own Business Day (OBD) in 2015. OBD will be celebrated on 13th October (second Tuesday of October) as a tribute to business owners in all the countries where METRO operates. OBD offers business customers various tools and digital solutions to enhance businesses' visibility, particularly online, and garner more customer loyalty and footfalls.

About METRO Cash & Carry

METRO Cash & Carry is a leading international wholesale company with food and non-food assortments that specializes on serving the needs of hotels, restaurants and caterers (HoReCa) as well as independent traders. The company operates in 34 countries and employs more than 100,000 people worldwide. In financial year 2018/19, METRO generated sales of €27.1 billion. Around the world, METRO has some 16 million customers who can choose whether to shop in one of the large-format stores, order online and collect their purchases at the store or have them delivered. METRO in addition also supports the competitiveness of entrepreneurs and own businesses with digital solutions and thereby contributes to cultural diversity in retail and hospitality.

METRO Cash & Carry entered the Indian market in 2003. The company currently operates twenty-seven wholesale distribution centres under the brand METRO Wholesale including six in Bangalore, four in Hyderabad, two each in Mumbai and Delhi, and one each in Kolkata, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Zirakpur, Amritsar, Vijayawada, Ahmedabad, Surat, Indore, Lucknow, Meerut, Nasik and Ghaziabad.  

For media queries, contact: press@metro.co.in