Is chotu an Online Grocery App? Here’s How It Actually Empowers Local Kirana Stores

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local grocery store

Many kirana store owners think chotu is just another online grocery delivery app.

But it isn’t.

chotu is NOT a platform that takes your customers, displays your inventory, controls your pricing, or charges commissions.

Instead…

chotu gives YOU the power to build your own online presence, attract customers directly, and grow your kirana store without depending on big delivery apps.

This is why thousands of kirana merchants across India have already adopted chotu to strengthen their local business.

Why chotu Is Not an Online Grocery App

Online grocery apps typically:

  • Take commissions on every order
  • Decide discounts and pricing
  • Show competitor shops next to yours
  • Keep customer details hidden
  • Force you to rely on their delivery system

This reduces the shop’s profit and control.

chotu is completely the opposite.

✔ You own your store

✔ You own your customer data

✔ You keep 100% of your earnings

✔ You grow your local brand

✔ You don’t depend on any aggregator

chotu is a digital storefront, not a delivery app.

So What Exactly Does chotu Do for Kirana Stores?

1. Helps You Build Your Own Online Store

Your kirana shop gets a shareable store link where customers can:

  • View your grocery categories
  • Browse your products (no pricing required)
  • Contact you on WhatsApp
  • Discover your shop online

It works like a mini digital shop for your kirana business.

2. Makes You Discoverable in Your Local Area

When customers search for:

  • kirana store near me
  • grocery shop nearby
  • local grocery delivery
  • supermarket near me

…your digital store helps you appear in search results.

Better online visibility = more walk-ins + more enquiries.

3. Lets Customers Contact You Directly

No middlemen.

No commissions.

No restriction on what you can sell.

Your customers directly message you through WhatsApp.

You decide:

  • delivery
  • timings
  • offers
  • stock availability
  • customer relationship

Everything stays in YOUR control.

4. Makes You Compete With Big Grocery Apps

Even if large online apps operate in your area, chotu gives you the same digital discoverability-without the downsides of being on an aggregator.

You can:

  • Display your categories
  • Upload your most popular items
  • Highlight daily essentials
  • Post festival or seasonal lists

Your store looks clean, professional, and trustworthy.

5. Helps You Build and Retain Local Customers

Online grocery apps take customers away from small stores.

But with chotu:

  • Your store link stays with the customer
  • Customers can reorder directly
  • You build long-term relationships
  • You grow repeat business

Your customer stays yours forever.

How to Create Your Kirana Store Online Using chotu

step1:Create Your Kirana Store on chotu

Visit owner.chotu.com.

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 chotu store becomes instantly shareable on WhatsApp, Google, and social media.

step2:What to Display in Your Kirana Store

✔ Grocery Categories

  • Rice, atta, dal
  • Cooking oils
  • Tea, coffee, sugar
  • Spices and masalas
  • Packaged foods

✔ Household Essentials

  • Cleaning items
  • Toiletries
  • Baby care
  • Beverages

✔ Fresh and Local Items

  • Bread
  • Eggs
  • Local snacks
  • Seasonal items

✔ Store Information

  • Your location
  • Timing
  • WhatsApp button

Why Kirana Owners Love chotu

  • No commissions
  • No competition on your page
  • No forced pricing
  • No dependency on big apps
  • Unlimited uploads
  • Works directly on mobile
  • Bring your own delivery system
  • Helps you grow walk-ins AND online orders

chotu helps the merchant win-not the aggregator.

Take Your Kirana Shop Online Today

If you want more visibility, more customer reach, and more control over your grocery business…

don’t depend on delivery apps that treat you as just another shop.

Build your own online kirana store with chotu.

Visit owner.chotu.com/sell-online to get started in seconds.

Your customers are already searching.Make sure they find you, not a big brand.

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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