In the fast-evolving landscape of quick commerce, traditional small retailers like kirana stores and local pharmacies face immense challenges competing against e-commerce giants offering lower prices and faster deliveries.
Enter Kiko Live, a Mumbai-based startup founded in 2020, which is revolutionising how these small retailers engage with the digital economy. Recently, it has introduced a cash-on-delivery (COD) option for its users.
Let’s take a closer look at how the cash-on-delivery feature works and what the company achieved during its pilot phase.
During the pilot phase, Kiko Live introduced the cash-on-delivery (COD) option to select kirana stores, aiming to simplify the payment process for customers who prefer traditional payment methods.
The pilot results showed a notable increase in customer transactions, with kirana stores experiencing a 30% boost in revenue.
By providing a COD option, Kiko Live addresses a key hurdle in the digital adoption journey of many kirana customers. It offers greater payment flexibility and reduces the risk perceived by shoppers who are wary of paying before receiving their products.
Kiko Live has transformed the conventional credit system by allowing sellers to set individual credit limits for customers and monitor all transactions clearly.
Both buyers and sellers can view comprehensive order histories, reducing mistakes and disputes that commonly occur with handwritten records. This digitisation builds trust between parties and helps retailers manage timely payments and improve cash flow.
To smoothly introduce the cash-on-delivery feature, Kiko Live began with 80 kirana stores in Delhi NCR. Early challenges included customers placing test orders without buying, prompting the platform to implement a verification system.
Now, trusted customers with registered phone numbers can use COD directly, while new users must complete a successful delivery first. This method guarantees COD access to legitimate buyers while protecting retailers from unnecessary disruptions.
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Kiko Live’s introduction of the cash-on-delivery feature demonstrates how understanding and addressing local customer preferences can significantly benefit small retailers like kirana stores.
By combining payment flexibility with digital tools that enhance transparency and trust, Kiko Live has helped these businesses increase revenues and improve customer satisfaction. The pilot’s success highlights the potential for such innovations to support traditional retailers in adapting to the growing digital economy while maintaining strong community ties.
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Published on: May 21, 2025, 4:51 PM IST
Neha Dubey
Neha Dubey is a Content Analyst with 3 years of experience in financial journalism, having written for a leading newswire agency and multiple newspapers. At Angel One, she creates daily content on finance and the economy. Neha holds a degree in Economics and a Master’s in Journalism.
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