Four Reliance pilot stores launched in Pune

Pune, Apr 11 (UNI) Targetting 50 per cent of the dollar 300 billion fresh fruits and vegetables market, Reliance Retail Stores will launch its operations in Maharashtra barring Mumbai with the opening of four stores in Pune tomorrow.

Gunender Kapur of Reliance Retail said that five cities have been earmarked in the state in the first phase including Nagpur, Solapur, Nashik, Aurangabad, and Pune. By December 125 stores are slated for opening in 18 cities of the state.

The stores will be open from 0800 hrs to 2100 hrs seven days a week. The farm to fork project offers an unmatched variety of farm, dairy and grocery products to all segments of society. ''At this point of time I am unable to state how much of a saving the offerings will make to a household but it will be substantial and sustained,'' Mr Kapur said.

When asked about the total investments, he clarified that earlier Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani had said that an investment of Rs 25,000 crore would be made in the industry.'' The market is worth dollars 300 billion and Reliance will be targetting around 50 per cent of the market. To another query regarding the impact on small vendors and hawkers, Kapur said that ''there was room for all and their projects would not displace anyone, we will be giving employment directly to half million and indirectly to a million people,'' he said adding that there would be a separate supply chain for non-vegetarian stores that woud be alongside Relaiance Retail.

Reliance Retail intends to have hypermarkets, supermarkets and have urban and rural business hubs and market its products under the brand name 'Reliance Select'.

To another query about having the required licenses and permissions for the stores from the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), Kapur said that applications had been made and amendments sought in the APMC Act.

UNI