Coca-Cola India Strengthens Odisha’s Retail Ecosystem Through Training and Infrastructure Support
Coca-Cola India along with its bottling partner Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt Ltd(HCCB) is accelerating retail growth in Odisha by empowering local shop owners with modern skills, upgraded infrastructure, and pathways to expand their businesses. The initiative blends capacity building with on-ground support, ensuring both retailers and consumers benefit from a stronger, more connected marketplace.
Central to this effort is the Super Power Retailer Program, run in partnership with the National Skill DevelopmentCorporation (NSDC) which trains small and micro retailers, particularly Kirana store owners in customer engagement, inventory planning, and financial management. Conducted in local languages through classroom sessions in Odisha and via an online certification program nationwide, the initiative has already enabled over 21000 retailers to cater to consumer preferences and market dynamics.
For local retailer Gayatri Senapati, this has meant more than just business growth. She said, “I have been selling Coca-Cola products for eleven years. A lot of people come and order Thums Up, Sprite and Coca-Cola, our display attracts people. It makes us proud.”
Karan Achpal, Vice President – Franchise Operations, Developing Markets, Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, “Strengthening the retail ecosystem in key markets like Odisha is a cornerstone of Coca-Cola’s growth strategy in India. By integrating capability-building initiatives with robust infrastructure support, we are not only empowering retailers to meet evolving consumer needs but also reinforcing our distribution network. This approach drives sustainable growth for retailers, ensuring they thrive while delivering enriching experiences to consumers.”
Vinay Nair, Chief Commercial Officer at Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Pvt. Ltd. (HCCB) said, “We see retail development as a shared opportunity for economic progress and stronger communities. Our work in Odisha goes beyond supplying beverages, it’s about partnering with local retailers to build their capabilities and help them serve consumers better. By combining on-ground support with targeted skills training, we are enabling these businesses to grow sustainably and contribute to the state’s economic fabric.”
Coca-Cola India’s long-standing partnership model strengthens local distribution and service. “We have been working with Coca-Cola since 2002, and it has been a rewarding journey of over two decades. Our partnership with Coca-Cola continues to grow stronger. The team at Coca-Cola India is incredibly supportive, and their guidance has played a big role in our success,” said Ajay Saha, local distributor.
Beyond training, Coca-Cola India is enhancing retail infrastructure by providing coolers to outlets and high-footfall locations, ensuring year-round access to chilled beverages. Rajesh Kumar Rana, owner of a sweets shop in Odisha said, “We’ve been running this shop for over 25 years, and Coca-Cola has become a big part of our journey. Ours is a traditional sweet shop where we also keep chilled beverages like Coca-Cola, Sprite, Thums Up and water. Whatever visitors need, we make sure it’s there.”
Additionally, during Odisha’s biggest cultural celebration, Ratha Yatra, the company deployed carts managed by local vendors, including women entrepreneurs, generating direct income and extending retail reach during the festival season.