Gro-Connect: A Digital Platform to Empower Local Grocery Stores and Strengthen Local Economy

Abstract

The fast growth of quick commerce and e-commerce companies like Zepto, Blinkit, and Instamart has significantly affected local grocery stores. Many traditional shops are struggling because fewer customers are visiting them, resulting in daily losses. Although local shopkeepers have strong personal connections with their customers, they often lack the digital tools needed to compete with big online platforms. GroConnect is an Android app that helps local grocery stores by using digital technology while still maintaining the trust-based relationships between shopkeepers and customers. The main purpose of Gro-Connect is to connect customers with nearby local grocery shops through a simple and easy-to-use digital platform. The app offers two separate interfaces — one for customers and one for shopkeepers. Customers can find nearby stores, check product availability, order from their preferred shops, and choose flexible payment options. Shopkeepers can directly receive orders through their interface, manage their products, and track customer orders efficiently. A special feature of Gro-Connect is its credit-based payment system for trusted customers, which is commonly used in local markets. A working prototype of Gro-Connect has been developed using Android Studio with Java and XML. The prototype includes a complete user flow involving four dummy customers and five dummy shopkeepers, covering the entire process of placing orders, receiving orders, and handling payments. The app is designed with a simple user interface to ensure that it is easy for users with low levels of digital literacy to use. Gro-Connect aims to support local businesses, improve the digital skills of shopkeepers, and promote local economic growth by incorporating trust and community values into competition with larger e-commerce platforms.

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