The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) e-commerce marketplace Bharat eMart will be launched soon across the country to help traders set up their e-shop on the portal, the traders’ body said on Sunday. Importantly, CAIT first announced the marketplace in May 2020, with the intention of launching it within a month to compete with e-commerce incumbents Flipkart, Amazon, and others. However, the launch was hampered by Covid.
CAIT National President BC Bhartia and Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal stated in a statement that because data is the most valuable asset, traders will be taught about data management as well as the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in their businesses. The upcoming marketplace is expected to benefit approximately 8 crore traders represented by approximately 40,000 trade associations under CAIT.
In light of the Reserve Bank of India’s recent launch of the Digital Rupee pilot project, the confederation also urged traders to focus on digital payments as a growth channel. CAIT announced a national campaign for traders beginning November 15 to raise awareness of digital payments and technology for business growth.
“After the release of digital currency, it seems that the time is not far when the era of chequebook will end in the country and gradually cash will be replaced. That’s why the CAIT is launching an eight-point programme in its national campaign,” said Bhartia and Khandelwal.
This includes setting up of e-shop on e-commerce, adopting digital payments in place of cash, using computer technology in the business, timely payment of taxes, good behaviour with the customer, converting shops into showrooms, better product display and strengthening local trade associations,” they added.