Marketfed to enter retail sector

KOCHI: After remaining dormant for a long time, the government-manned Kerala State Co-operative Marketing Federation Limited (Marketfed) is coming up with a major initiative. For the first time in its history, the organisation will enter the retail business by introducing its new venture, ‘Tripthi’ super markets for the public.
Marketfed MD T Vikram said it will open 10 mini supermarkets at Kollam. “These markets are just a preliminary step of a major venture. Depending on the volume of business it generates in the future, it will penetrate to taluk and panchayat levels,” he said.
 Asked why they opted for Kollam for their major venture, he said the Marketfed will be starting the project in association with the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation Limited, Kollam.
 The mini supermarket outlets will be started in the factories of the Cashew Development Corporation. “There are 30 factories functioning under them and they were planning to make use of it for business enterprises. Applications were being invited in this regard and the Marketfed was in search of new avenues of business. When the opportunity came our way, we just grabbed it.
 For Marketfed, the opening of mini supermarkets is just an attempt to make way for a major project. “This is just a tip of the iceberg. Preparations are under way to open hypermarkets in five districts - T’Puram, Kollam, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kozhikode.
“All the basic provisions will be supplied through these hypermarkets,” said Marketfed chairman V Sathyasheelan.  The officials said the initiative has been taken to eliminate middlemen who have been unruly controlling the prices.

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