Pour Tous Purchasing Service (PTPS) update

The Pour Tous Purchasing Service team announced they are “happy and proud to announce that we have now completed ONE full year in ‘full control’ as far as that is possible or even desirable...” Among their accomplishments they list lowering profit margins way below the required 15% (20% for cooled products) except for unsustainable items; reducing a Rs 575,000 loss in 2022 due to theft etc. to a Rs 50.000 loss; empowering many of the women working there by giving them computer training and greater responsibility; expanding the Auroville, bioregion, local and organic offerings while removing many articles that were unsustainable or bad price-quality; and installing solar panels to power the shop and storeroom. Future plans include providing online shopping and delivery possibilities, and building an onsite water catchment which will double as an aquaponics and free swimming pool for Aurovilians and village neighbours.