Traders face tough time with Aavin products

Chennai

Summer, which began early, resulted in an increase in demand for buttermilk, curd and lassi . But Aavin traders complain that they do not receive the indented supply of these products. On some days, they do not receive them at all. “Preference is given to Aavin’s own parlours which affects franchisees” some of the traders told DTNext.

Similarly, problems in packaging of products has left franchisees fuming. Recently, franchisees were supplied packages which claimed to contain Mango Duet (Rs.20 each) but actually contained Mango Candy (Rs.10 each). The amount had been billed for supply of  Mango Duet. “Such lackadaisical practices lead to us suffering loss unnecessarily, though all of us are in this business to earn profit,” the traders lamented.

Similar is the case with the system of opening new Aavin outlets. One example is the Anna Salai stretch where recently, two outlets – one at QM Art College and the other at the complex were inaugurated. Both are hardly 200 metres from an existing outlet on Club House road. With business on Anna Salai suffering due to the stretch being converted into a one-way traffic for Metro Rail works, Aavin’s policies of positioning of their outlets in the retail markets have irked franchisees. Franchisees were also upset by a supermarket chain offering reduced prices for one litre ghee in tetra packs.

Sunil Paliwal, Manging Director of Aavin said efforts were underway to increase production of curd, lassi and buttermilk. “This will be possible only from next summer,” he said. On wrong labelling of products, he said it would be set right within a week. Regarding opening of new outlets, he said, “All outlets will have to compete to ensure satisfactory sales,” he added.

On the supermarket issue, he said, “The mart picked up products from Aavin godowns. They were billed at wholesale rates. They are free to offer reduced rates. Franchisee outlets were under retail contract and so their margins will be less,” he said.