Chandigarh: Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday said from merely being 'petrol pumps', the filling stations being operated by the country's oil marketing companies are transforming into 'experience stations'. Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) has entered into a memorandum of understanding with a startup engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling toys to provide space at retail outlets for setting up toy shops/kiosks.

Puri inaugurated a toy kiosk named Urban Tots

The minister visited IOCL company-owned and company-operated retail outlet in Mohali, Punjab, and inaugurated a toy kiosk named Urban Tots.
Puri lauded the one-of-its-kind initiatives of the company of handholding and supporting startup Urban Tots. He said that the first five Urban Tots stores have been commissioned in Tricity (Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula), while 500 more stores will be set up across the country.

'Filling stations being operated by our OMCs are transforming into experience stations'

"From merely being 'petrol pumps', the filling stations being operated by our OMCs (Oil Marketing Companies) are transforming into experience stations," he said. He said that a petrol pump is not just a dispensing station, it is not just a retail outlet, but it has become a hub for economic activity.

"With the spirit of @makeinindia resonating loud & our resurgent toy industry achieving unimaginable success with exports worth Rs 2,600 crores last year. Under the leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji, initiatives such as these will play a key role in further growth of the industry," he said in a tweet later. At the IOCL outlet in Mohali, Puri interacted with customers, some of whom were with their children, who expressed their happiness with the new-age experience that the IOCL's retail outlets offer to them.

V Satish Kumar, Director (Marketing) at Indian Oil, Jitendra Kumar, Executive Director and State Head of Indian Oil, Punjab State Office, and other senior officers of the company were also present on the occasion.
According to an IOCL statement, setting up the kiosks will augment the optimal utilisation of space at the retail outlets for public convenience.
Puri also appreciated the latest dispensing units and other customer-centric initiatives being undertaken at the retail outlet.

Toys are the most sought product on petrol pumps after spare parts: Kumar

V Satish Kumar of Indian Oil said that toys are the most sought product on petrol pumps after spare parts, tyres, snacks, and beverages. He said that IndianOil will be able to enhance the customer experience with a wide range of toys from Urban Tots thus resulting in customer delight. "We as a group are working on a mission to be a one-stop-shop for our customers," he said. According to the statement, Indian Oil has entered into an MoU with Deepak Houseware and Toys Pvt Ltd, a startup popularly known as Urban Tots engaged in the business of manufacturing and selling toys.

The corporation will provide space at Indian Oil retail outlets to Urban Tots for setting up toy shop/kiosks and market their products to the customers visiting the outlets for fuel and other allied non-fuel offerings.

(PSU Watch– India's Business News centre that places the spotlight on PSUs, Bureaucracy, Defence and Public Policy is now on Google News. Click here to follow. Also, join PSU Watch Channel in your Telegram. You may also follow us on Twitter here and stay updated.)