METRO Cash and Carry entered into an exclusive partnership with Fintech start-up ePayLater to digitize and transform kiranas with a more affordable and sustainable solution. METRO in association with ePayLater has co-created a mobile application - 'Digital Shop'- that enables kirana owners to use their existing smartphones to digitise their business operation instantly without any additional investment on a device. 'Digital Shop' will digitally empower small retailers and kiranas by upgrading their traditional methodologies and leverage the power of technology by modernizing their business. Downloading this app, kiranas can digitally track their daily and monthly sales; manage their inventory; place orders with METRO, offer digital payment options to customers using their smartphone. The 'Digital Shop' offers kiranas zero transaction fee; a universal QR code to accept payments from all apps; and no cap on daily and monthly transactions. In addition, kiranas can extend credit to their customers using the 'Digital Shop' app and also get access to interest-free business credit with a few clicks on the app. This would help kirana free up working capital, thereby making business more profitable. The app will also provide analytics to kirana owners such as inventory consumption patterns and the fast and slow- moving products that will optimize kirana's product mix and eventually help in improving their revenues and margins. The kiranas will be able to engage with customers digitally and create customized offers, provide loyal customers with an instant credit of up to Rs. 25,000 for purchases, and grow their revenue by offering additional services like utility and bill payments, amongst others. Under the Smart kirana programme, METRO has modernized operations of over 500 kiranas across the country. However, the latest initiative combines new-age technologies, data science and years of exhaustive experience of wholesale retail into a simple-to-use digital offering. 

What is the relevance of supply chain and technology integration in defining Metro's strategy?