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$7 billion in the "shadow" or what potential for IT business is hidden in the segment of “convenience stores” in Kazakhstan

Convenience stores or so-called convenience stores play a key role in providing employment for the population, are convenient for customers due to their location and provide an opportunity for small manufacturers to sell their products.

According to a study by the international consulting company Nielsen, 26% of global consumer goods sales and 70% of customer visits are in small formats. Such global retail companies as Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Walmart, etc. We actively expanded sales through express store models.

By analogy with foreign brands, Russian chains have also developed, including Metro cash&carry (Bean, up to 150 square meters), Magnit (small "convenience stores" with an area of 100-250 square meters), and the Perekrestok chain (up to 1 thousand square meters).

Express formats also have a large product range and price competitiveness due to well-established distribution and purchasing capabilities compared to traditional convenience stores. In order to attract a larger customer audience, chains are organizing grocery corners inside stores, and more attention is being paid to offering a good selection of ready meals, fresh fruits and vegetables.

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The volume of the shadow economy in trade reaches 3.7 trillion tenge (at the current exchange rate, it is more than 7 billion dollars), according to this negative indicator, trade occupies a leading place.

According to official data, trade is one of the leading industries in terms of the number of informally employed (169 thousand people as of 2022), along with agriculture (577 thousand) and construction (110 thousand).

At the same time, the share of organized formats in retail trade is only 33%.

At the same time, there is a steady decrease in the number of convenience stores. Over the past 7-8 years, their number has decreased by 30% and amounted to 34,897 units in 2022. (in 2016 – 49,629 units).

A few years ago, the GFK research company, based on the results of its analysis, stated that in Kazakhstan, among the sales channels for the promotion of food and beverages, the growth (about 57%) is demonstrated by formats up to 200 square meters. m.

Such network players of the retail market as Magnum, Fermag Small format stores are consistently developing, and this is in line with the global trend. The basic factor is changes in consumer preferences of the population. In particular, customers prefer to buy essential products in convenience stores, spend less time choosing goods and servicing in the cash register area.

In the regions of the republic, various types of "convenience stores" are currently operating in a free and heterogeneous mode, and the prevailing proportion of this category is not officially operating.

The majority of commercial premises are available only in newly built residential complexes, while most of the residential area consists of buildings from the Soviet period. "Convenience stores" are often located in basement rooms unsuitable for trade, or converted from apartments with a complex layout for the location of commercial equipment and competent merchandising.

In addition, this trade segment does not have a developed professional logistics system through distribution centers and direct deliveries from suppliers.

🧠 1. If we look at foreign experience, regional retail players unite under a common brand⛱️, building a single chain of logistics and information systems, a structure of categorical assortment management and acting as an alternative distribution channel for manufacturers.

From this perspective, it seems promising to develop cooperation between small retail enterprises to increase their competitiveness and profitability.

Such cooperation can help manufacturers and suppliers reduce some of their costs by consolidating marketing activities that are currently involved in working with numerous retailers and distributors.

Cooperatives can also help reduce the cost of advertising, sales staff, and commissions. In the markets of products without a trademark, the cooperative can offer a reliable sales market and consolidated information on market demand, which improves long-term planning for the manufacturer or seller.

2. The issue of retail automation is also relevant. Many stores operate on the 1C platform, which is basically an accounting program and is unable to scale, hinders growth, and also does not allow for sales analytics and effective product accounting.

In this regard, the potential is the introduction of an existing market or the development of a modern SaaS product with a focus on convenience stores. At the same time, this product should be as easy to use as possible and ensure the most transparent chain of movement (manufacturer/importer – wholesale supplier – distributor – convenience store – end customer).

🧠 3.In the Republic of Kazakhstan, there is a great potential for the growth of network minimarkets of the "at home" format, similar to 7 Eleven, GS25, CU, into which pharmacies, community centers (provision of household, banking and other social services, PVZ of well-known e-commerce platforms) and other related services can be integrated. At the same time, it is advisable to create an alliance of minimarkets to consolidate the purchasing power of stores and create favorable conditions from suppliers. To pack all this into one solution – modern formats like modex and develop the franchise.

, The author of the article is Dauren Autalipov.

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