PepsiCo's bottling partner Ravi Jaipuria's promotional venture RJ Corp to start up retail chain J Mart

RJ Corp, promoted by PepsiCo's bottling partner and multifaceted entrepreneur Ravi Jaipuri, is endeavouring into the retail business with a grocery store chain J Mart. RJ Corp has come out with a special purpose vehicle, Alisha Retail, for the retail venture. The project is being spearheaded by Jaipuria's daughter, Devyani. Alisha Retail is currently opening stores, mainly in the range of 300-500 sq ft in NCR.
Jaipuria said that the plan is at its initial stages, but the company wants to scale up the high-potential retail venture. It’s is a very logical front-end for the company because 50% of what sells at J Mart stores is what the company makes itself, whether it's PepsiCo soft drinks, water, juices and chips, CreamBell icecream, or backend products like breads, made for franchisee partners such as Pizza Hut.
Devyani International, a unit of RJ Corp, manages the entire foods franchisee business of the company and its partners include Pizza Hut, KFC and Costa Coffee. Alisha Retail is brainstorming to initially open small convenience outlets in residential and office complexes.
According to Devyani, a mother of two, the firm believes that there is a requirement for hygienic and neighbourhood stores.