Infinia Technologies, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi–based Sirius International Holding, has partnered with Satya Retail, an affiliate of India’s DS Group, to launch an AI- and blockchain-driven platform for neighbourhood retailers across India. Announced at GITEX Global, the service — branded SAII — aims to digitise day-to-day operations for millions of kirana shops with e-invoicing, working capital, insurance and hyperlocal advertising delivered through a single interface.
The collaboration pairs Infinia’s software stack with DS Group’s distribution reach and Satya Retail’s merchant network to build what the partners describe as an intelligent and inclusive retail backbone. The agreement was signed in Dubai in the presence of Infinia chief executive Arif Khan and DS Group director Ritesh Kumar.
Positioned as a “digital saathi” for small merchants, SAII aggregates services that many shops struggle to access at scale. It anchors transactions on blockchain for trust and auditability, then layers AI to guide stock decisions, pricing and customer engagement. A two-way data layer links merchants with suppliers so promotions and fulfilment can be tailored to local demand without adding complexity at the counter.
“This partnership shows how AI and blockchain can drive real outcomes for small businesses,” said Khan. “With SAII we are putting intelligent tools in the hands of retailers who have been underserved by technology. India is the first step — our ambition is to take this model across Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.”
Kumar said the tie-up will help level the playing field. “By combining our retail network with Infinia’s innovation we can modernise how kirana stores buy, sell and access finance,” he said. “SAII will let merchants plug into digital services quickly while keeping the relationships that make local retail work.”
SAII will be offered via Satya Retail’s existing B2B channels so shops can adopt digital procurement and settlement alongside their current suppliers. The partners say the model reduces leakage, speeds credit decisions and improves marketing relevance at neighbourhood level — all without costly hardware or long onboarding.
While timelines and scale targets were not disclosed, near-term priorities include rapid onboarding, measurable uplift in sales and working capital for merchants, and proof that the data layer can cut friction between brands, distributors and stores. Longer term the companies plan to replicate the approach in other high-growth markets.
