GCC targets Rs 15 crore sales turnover this fiscal

Girijan Cooperative Corporation Limited (GCC) is aiming at achieving a 100 per cent growth in retail sales this fiscal. In 2004-05, GCC's retail sales turnover touched Rs 7.74 crore as compared to Rs 5.81 crore in the previous year, registering a growth of 33 per cent.

"Our target was to achieve Rs 10 crore turnover on retail sales during 2004-05. But due to the government's instruction, the corporation had to divert its tamarind stocks to the civil supplies department. This limited our retail sales turnover to Rs 7.74 crore," PDV Prasad, general manager, GCC, told Business Standard.

This year, GCC is targeting to achieve Rs 15 crore sales turnover through its retail market division. Of the total retail sales turnover, about 65 per cent of turnover was generated from honey, tamarind and soaps selling.

"In the current year, we are expecting a good collection of minor forest produce. Keeping this in mind, GCC has decided to expand the dealer network as much as possible to market these products through retail market," he said.

GCC markets 12 products including honey, tamarind, soaps, hill brooms and turmeric powder under the 'Girijan' brand.

At present, GCC has honey stocks of about 2,000 quintals. In the coming honey collection seasons (between May-July and December-January), GCC expects to procure close to 4,000 quintals of honey. The corporation pays Rs 80 for a kg of raw honey to the tribals and after processing sells the same at Rs 180 in the retail market.

GCC expects the tamarind procurement to reach around 80,000 quintals during this season, as compared to 29,000 quintals last season.

In case of raw tamarind, GCC pays around Rs 7 for a kg to tribals and after processing, sells it at Rs 23 per kg in the retail market. Last fiscal, GCC sold 18 lakh of 'Ritu' brand soaps and this year it is targeting to sell 36 lakh soaps.

GCC products are available at around 4,000 outlets across the state. GCC, which currently has 130 dealers, has decided to appoint around 380 new dealers.

"By end of May 2005, we should be able to complete the process of appointing new dealers. Our aim is to make available the GCC products at around 15,000 outlets in the state within the next couple of months," he said.