Why chotu Is Not a Grocery App, but a Growth Partner for Kirana Shop Owners

kirana shop online

In every neighbourhood across India, kirana stores are the heartbeat of daily life. Yet the rise of large grocery apps has left many local shop owners feeling pressured, overshadowed, or left behind.

But here’s the truth:

chotu is not another grocery delivery app.

Instead, it is a growth partner designed to empower kirana shops-not replace or control them.

While grocery apps take orders, set commissions, and control pricing, chotu gives kirana merchants control, visibility, and direct customer reach.

It helps you grow your brand, build loyal customers, and stay competitive-without losing your identity.

Let’s explore why thousands of kirana shop owners are choosing chotu as their digital growth partner.

What Makes chotu Different from Grocery Apps?

1. Grocery Apps Take Control – chotu Gives Control Back

Most grocery apps decide:

  • What customers see
  • Your pricing
  • Your discounting
  • Who gets priority in listings
  • How much commission you pay
  • Whether customers see your competitors next to you

This reduces profit and weakens your customer relationship.

chotu does the opposite.

It gives you the tools to build your own online presence-exactly the way you want.

2. chotu Helps You Create Your Own Online Kirana Store

Create Your Kirana Store on chotu

Visit owner.chotu.com/sell-online.

In a few simple steps, your digital store will be ready:

  • Add your store name and mobile number
  • Use pre-built kirana categories or upload your essentials with short descriptions

Your online store becomes instantly shareable on WhatsApp and Google.

You own it.

You manage it.

You grow it.

3. No Commissions. No Hidden Fees. No Middlemen.

Grocery apps take a cut from every order.

chotu takes zero commission.

Whatever customers buy from your store-you keep 100%.

This helps kirana shops:

  • Increase margins
  • Keep pricing fair
  • Improve profitability
  • Reduce dependency on aggregators

4. Customers Reach You Directly on WhatsApp

With chotu, customers can:

  • Browse your store
  • Check categories
  • Discover essentials
  • Click on your WhatsApp button
  • Order directly from you

You control communication, delivery, and payment.

No third-party interference.

5. Perfect for Local Discovery in Your Area

When people search for:

  • kirana store near me
  • grocery shop nearby
  • daily essentials close by

…your chotu store increases the chance of your shop appearing in search results, WhatsApp groups, and local networks.

More visibility → More customers → More sales.

6. Build a Strong Local Brand

With chotu, you create your own digital identity:

  • Your store link
  • Your logo
  • Your categories
  • Your customer list
  • Your repeat buyers

This is your brand-not a listing lost among hundreds of competing shops.


7. Easier for Customers to Order From You

People prefer kirana stores that offer:

  • A shareable store link
  • WhatsApp ordering
  • Easy browsing
  • Quick communication
  • Familiar service

chotu improves convenience without changing how your shop works.

What You Can Display in Your chotu Store

✔  Daily essentials

  • Atta, rice, dals
  • Oils, sugar, spices
  • Tea, coffee, biscuits

✔  Household items

  • Cleaning supplies
  • Toiletries
  • Baby care essentials

✔  Local favourites & fast-moving products

  • Snacks
  • Beverages
  • Eggs, bread
  • Seasonal items

✔  Store information

  • Your location
  • Timings
  • WhatsApp button

Your chotu store becomes a clean, modern digital version of your physical shop.

Why Kirana Owners Trust chotu as a Growth Partner

  • Takes less than one minute to set up
  • No technical knowledge needed
  • No commissions
  • Unlimited product uploads
  • Works perfectly on mobile
  • Helps attract walk-ins + online enquiries
  • Builds your brand identity
  • Strengthens customer loyalty

chotu empowers the merchant, not the marketplace.

Take Your Kirana Shop Online Today with chotu

Your customers are becoming digital.

Your neighbourhood is searching online daily.

Your competitors are gradually moving online.

Don’t stay behind.

Create your online kirana store in under a minute at owner.chotu.com/sell-onlineand let chotu become your trusted growth partner-not another grocery app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is chotu?
Namaste. I am chotu, your friendly shopboy. I make ordering from your shop simple on WhatsApp.
What does chotu do?
Customers can see your full product list online (like Zepto/Blinkit). They add to cart and order directly on WhatsApp.
Is chotu like Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto or Blinkit?
No. Those are delivery apps made for buyers. They control prices, delivery, and own your customer data. chotu is an ordering app made for you, the shopkeeper. You keep full control: prices, payments and your customer info.
Is chotu same as WhatsApp Business Catalog?
Almost, but one big difference: With chotu, you get a ready-made catalog for your shop type. No need to type a single word. Just turn OFF items you don’t sell. Plus, you get a QR code and link to share anywhere.
Do customers order with me directly or with chotu?
Orders come straight to your WhatsApp. chotu does not know what is ordered or who your customer is.
Do customers need to download chotu?
No. They can order by:
  • Scanning your QR code


  • Clicking your shop link

(If they install chotu, it only makes reordering easier.)

So, there are two apps?
Yes, the red chotu app is for buyers, golden chotu Owner app is for you, the shopkeeper. You can install both if you want.

How will my shop look?
Like any online store (Amazon/Flipkart). Buyers can browse, search, and add to cart. Click on LIVE DEMO to see how your shop will look.
Do I need a laptop, Excel, or English?
No. Only a WhatsApp number is enough. Works in all Indian languages. chotu runs only on mobile.
How much does chotu cost?
Starts ₹999, one-time payment. No rent. No subscription. No commission. It’s your shop forever.
How do I get paid?
Customers pay you directly, not through chotu. They can give cash in hand or through UPI (PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, etc.). No change in payments at all.


Will chotu deliver orders?
No. Delivery is your choice.
  • Ask customer to pick up


  • Send through your boy/helper
  • Use Rapido, Dunzo, etc.


Can customers pay cash?
Yes. As always.
How will I know if I got an order?
You’ll hear a “ka-ching” on the chotu Owner app and get the order on WhatsApp.
Can customers order at night?
Yes. 24×7. You can deliver when you are open.
My customers have cousins in the USA, can they also order?
Yes. Your shop is now open to the whole world, 24X7.
How do I promote my shop?
When you buy a shop, you get a shop link and a QR.
  • Share shop link on WhatsApp Status, Groups, Instagram, YouTube, etc.


  • Print QR on your shopboard, visiting cards, no-parking boards.


Will I get new customers?
Yes, through your link/QR and local promotion. With VIP Pass, your shop ranks higher on chotu search.
What is VIP Pass?
VIP Pass is a value added service with extra benefits:
  • Higher ranking in customer searches
  • Ability to edit your shop details
  • Priority customer support
How do I buy the VIP Pass?
All shops come with a built-in FREE VIP Pass. You do not need to purchase it right now. You can login to the chotu Owner app to buy the VIP Pass later.
Do I need GST or a physical shop?
No. Just a WhatsApp number is enough. Physical shop is optional.
What does owning a shop mean on chotu?
Like you buy a shop in the real world, you are buying a space in the digital world, which is yours forever.
What if I don’t get orders at first?
Share your shop link with existing customers. Once they try it, they will reorder and refer new buyers. If you have a Google My Business profile, you should update your shop link there too to get more orders.
Who is behind chotu? Can I trust it?
The team has decades of experience at Microsoft, Oracle, airtel and studied at IIT & IIM. They are building chotu with only one purpose: make ordering with local shops as easy as UPI made payments.
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