GUJARAT, AHMEDABAD | 12th NOVEMBER 2025 — Kirana stores are the backbone of India’s consumer ecosystem. Recognizing their integral role, Coca-Cola India, along with its bottling partner – Kandhari Global Beverages Pvt. Ltd., is strengthening Ahmedabad’s retail network with advanced cooling infrastructure and digital tools to help thousands of local kirana owners grow their businesses. This is part of Coca-Cola India’s ‘Locally Yours’ campaign, which shines a spotlight on retailers as partners in progress, fueling festive and daily consumption occasions, and reinforcing the vitality of neighbourhoods.These retailers are an integral part of the local economy, supporting livelihoods, and keeping local commerce alive.
Coca-Cola’s coolers are driving tangible results for retailers, particularly small, and medium businesses, by boosting revenues, enhancing product shelf life, and creating more engaging in-store experience. The cooler is not just improving sales; it’s adding to customer satisfaction and energizing the local retail ecosystem.
Additionally, the tech-driven Coke Buddy platform further strengthens kiranas’ operations by offering a self-ordering solution with AI-powered insights and 24/7 support. It streamlines processes and delivers a personalized, seamless retail experience, enabling shop owners to manage their business more efficiently.
Retailers themselves are seeing the impact. Manubhai Patel, a fast-food restaurant owner, Ahmedabad, shared, “I am 65 years old. I have been coming to my father’s shop since I was 11. When he passed away, the responsibility came to us. Back then, our breakfast was very popular, but our main business was tea. Along with tea, Bun Maska has always been the favorite choice, and our phoolwadi, papdi, and gota are also very loved. Many of my staff have been with me for years. We’ve been selling Coca-Cola for a long time. Students and working professionals gather here for chilled beverages. Today, one of my sons is in Canada, and the other owns a perfume factory in Dubai”.
Taran Kandhari, Director, Kandhari Global Beverages Pvt. Ltd, said“Gujarat is one of the most dynamic consumer markets, and kirana stores remain at the core of its consumption story. Together with Coca-Cola in India, we are expanding cold-chain capacity, improving service reach, and empowering retailers with tools that enhance both operations and consumer experience.”
Vinay Nair, Chief Commercial Officer, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd. said, “Retail in India is evolving rapidly, but what remains constant is trust.Retailers across the country cater to daily needs, bring people together, over shared moments, familiar faces, and small gestures of hospitality. Being able to support that spirit, with a chilled beverage offeringalongwith efficient store management, is what keeps our partnership meaningful.”
Kapil Patel, Stall owner,Ahmedabad said “I have been providing LED, photography, videography, and sound for events for 15 years. In 2018, I also started setting up a stall at Navratri, and that’s when my association with Coca-Cola began. For me, the people who come for Darshan feel like family, so I want to serve them something I trust. That’s why I chose Coca-Cola, and over time it has started to feel like a family connection. I wish to continue this association in the future as well.”
Hiren Patel, Paan Shop Owner, Ahmedabad shared “I started with a small paan shop and gradually expanded to 20 stalls. For the past two years, we have also been setting up food stalls at Navratri Garba. It hasn’t always been easy, but Coca-Cola has stood by us and made things simpler. Whenever challenges come up, like late-night supplies or rain at the venue, we know we can rely on them. That trust has allowed us to focus on running our business and serving people well.”
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