Logistical support for GKSF fully networked

The logistical support for the South Indian Bank Grand Kerala Shopping Festival (GKSF) has been fully networked and managed online.

 GKSF has set up offices in each of the 14 districts of the state to co-ordinate the distribution of coupons, gifts and other festival-related items to participating merchant establishments. Connected to these main hubs are multiple distribution centres spread around each district from where retailers can easily collect the material they require.

 A total of 90 such centres have been established state-wide, besides the 14 district offices. Training has already been given to 104 hub managers who will be overseeing the operations of these centres.

A 30-line call centre based in Thiruvanathapuram is now functional. Retail establishments can call the toll-free number 1800-4255-2012 to place their orders for coupons and merchandise.

 ‘’We are making the most of the technology available to us. The goal is to make everything easy and hassle-free for registering retailers,’’ said Tourism Minister A P Anil Kumar. ‘’Last season we just had one office in each district. This time we have established more centres and spread them in such a way that the merchant establishments have access to at least one within a radius of, say, 10 kilometres,’’ said GKSF director U V Jose.

Ernakulam has 10 such centres, Thiruvananthapuram and Malappuram have nine each, Thrissur eight, Kozhikode and Kannur seven each, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Kollam and Palakkad six each, Pathanamthitta has five, Idukki four, and Wayanad and Kasargod three each.

 He said coupons and gifts will be available at these hubs by the first week of December and by the second week they will be distributed to the GKSF registrants.

 ‘’Everything is being handled online; which means that if a retailer puts in a request for coupons or merchandise, it gets registered on the network and the material can be dispatched immediately to the centre nearest to them and collected from there,’’  said GKSF state coordinator V Vijayan.

 GKSF Season 6 will begin on December 15 and will conclude on January 31.