Coca-Cola is using an AI digital platform to turn India’s kirana stores into smart retail hubs.

Kirana stores have long been central to everyday commerce and consumer access in India. For these store owners, every minute matters, from stocking shelves to managing inventory and serving consumers in a fast-evolving retail landscape. To support them, Coca-Cola India has scaled up Coke Buddy, a smart AI-enabled digital platform that puts the power of convenience and efficiency directly into the hands of retailers.

Since its launch, Coke Buddy has recorded one of the fastest scale-ups of any FMCG eB2B retail platform in India and has been used by more than ten lakh retailers. The app has also achieved industry-leading engagement rates, with retailers placing repeat orders every month to buy Coca-Cola products, driven by transparent offers, AI-powered suggestions and a user-friendly interface. This rapid uptake reflects the platform’s ability to simplify everyday operations and strengthen retailer confidence and relationship.

“We’ve been serving customers since the 1980s, and I’ve been working with my father for around 15 to 17 years,” said store owner Aditya Arora. “As an MBA graduate, I’ve learnt that if you want to grow your business, you have to evolve with time. The Coke Buddy app has changed the way we do business, bringing transparency into our work. I can simply place orders anytime through the app with deals and services from Coca-Cola. It’s brought ease to how we run our store every day.”

Pradeep,another store owner, added: “I’ve been working with Coca-Cola for the past three years and regularly use the Coke Buddy app. It helps me place orders easily and stay updated on new products. I especially like the suggested-order feature, which recommends products based on my previous purchases. It makes running my shop easier.”

Beyond scale, Coke Buddy is also driving tangible business growth for kirana stores. The platform allows shopkeepers to order anytime, track deliveries, and access real-time pricing and promotions, all through a single mobile application. By embedding AI into daily decision-making, the platform recommends products based on past buying patterns and seasonal demand, helping retailers avoid stockouts, reduce wastage and make quicker, data-backed decisions. The result is simpler store management for retailers and better availability of Coca-Cola beverages for consumers across neighbourhoods in India.

“Digital empowerment is defining retail growth, and Coke Buddy is designed to give every retailer, whether it’s a neighbourhood kirana or a local supermarket, simple, always-on access to ordering and tracking Coca-Cola products,” said Ambuj Deo Singh, vice president at Coca-Cola India. “Each interaction generates insights that allow us to serve retailers more efficiently, while ensuring consumers find our beverages available whenever they desire.”

Coke Buddy integrates practical tools to simplify daily operations. Retailers receive real-time notifications on active promotions, discounts, launches and schemes. The platform’s voice search function enhances accessibility, making it easier to locate products. In addition, shopkeepers can track their deliveries, review order history and receive updates on order status, bringing transparency and control into the process.

Coke Buddy is already transforming the way kirana stores interact with consumers. For the retailer, it is the reassurance of round-the-clock access and transparency. For the consumer, it is the confidence their favourite drink from the Coca-Cola (www.cocacolacompany.com) portfolio is always within reach.