India : India’s kirana stores have long been central to everyday commerce and consumer access. 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 up of any FMCG eB2B retail platform in India and has been used by more than 10 Lakh retailers. The app has also achieved industry-leading engagement rates, with retailers placing repeat orders every month to buy their favorite Coca-Cola Products, driven by transparent offers, AI powered suggestions and user-friendly interface. This rapid uptake reflects the platform’s ability to simplify everyday operations & strengthen retailer confidence & relationship.

Aditya Arora, a store owner said, “We’ve been serving customers since the 1980s and I’ve been working with my father for around 15 to 17 years. 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, a store owner said, “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 artificial intelligence 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 neighborhoods in India.

Ambuj Deo Singh, Vice President, Digital Acceleration Office, Coca‑Cola India and Southwest Asia said, “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. 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, new launches, and schemes, ensuring they never miss an opportunity. The platform’s voice search function enhances accessibility, making it easy to locate products instantly. In addition, shopkeepers can track their deliveries, review order history, and receive updates on order status, bringing full 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 24×7 access and transparency. For the consumer, it is the confidence that their favorite drink from the Coca-Cola portfolio is always within reach.