New Delhi: If executed successfully, Reliance Retail led by Mukesh Ambani could sell subsidised food products under the ‘Bharat’ brand which of course could drastically bring down food prices throughout India. were consumers of wheat, rice, pulses, and other basic items may soon get cheap foods from Reliance’s vast network of stores if the proposed deal is implemented.
The retail king of India is already ruling multiple aspects with the brands such as Smart Bazaar, Jio Store, and Jio Mart. The government has now given him confidence to take his retail empire to the next level by also selling some basic food items at low cost to fight the issue of inflation.
Using Bharat Brand, Government’s Plan to Tackle Inflation
To offer the basic useful products, the Indian government introduced ‘Bharat’ brand in 2023 for selling affordable foods like wheat, rice, pulses etc. It was launched to assist clients that are middle-income earners and cannot benefit from free food under the Prime Minister’s Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. Bharat brand is equally cheap where one is able to purchase rice at ₹ 29 k.g, wheat at ₹27.50 k.g and chana dal at ₹ 60 k.g.
Today, the government retail these products through organization such as NAFED, NCCF, Kendriya Bhandar and mobile vans. Reliance Retail as a potential partner could help widen and deepen distribution networks meaning that more people across the country could afford food.
What Consumers and Reliance Gains from This Partnership
In the case of Mukesh Ambani, it provided a good chance of expanding the audience base even further especially in rural and low income areas. Not only will this extend its network but would also improve Reliance Retail’s image in the eyes of the population, as a company that stands alongside the government in its fight against inflation and to provide affordable generic goods to consumers.
For consumer side this move can give a breathing spell to millions of middle class families plagued by rising food prices. These subsidised products would be available at many more places because Reliance has vast stores network making the product easily accessible.
A Win-Win for Both Sides?
If this deal is sealing, this partnership could be a giant leap in the government directions towards combating inflation and enhance the Retail scale of Reliance. Admittedly, making grains and pulses more accessible to the population would also benefit Ambani’s businesses since he would sell products cheaper than his competitors, while the latter would get better deals as their food costs would be lower.
And with talks reported to be in the last stages, an official confirmation of this partnership may be announced shortly; it may be argued that this could establish a new benchmark for public private partnership in the retail and food distribution business environment in India.