Flipkart Grocery launched in Bengaluru after ‘Nearbuy’ failure

Online retailer Flipkart has re-entered the grocery category, following the tail of US-Based rival Amazon. The company has launched Flipkart online grocery shopping  in its mobile app for an initial set of customers in the city of Bengaluru.

Flipkart started delivering groceries in Bengaluru a few months ago, exclusively for its employees with the goal to try and enter into the FMCG industry.

What is Flipkart Planning to achieve?

According to Flipkart Spokesperson, the aim of Flipkart is to transform e-commerce using technology in the entire country. It aims to make shopping for everyday essentials convenient for its customers. With this approach in mind, Flipkart has done a soft launch in grocery category only for specific customers in Bengaluru.

However, this is not Flipkart’s first attempt entering Grocery industry. Back in 2015. Flipkart tried to re-enter into this segment, through Flipkart online grocery shopping app “NEARBY” which delivered grocery from local stores. But the operation was shut down within few months of its operation.

Buyer Requirement to order Grocery from Flipkart:

1. Minimum Order value must not be less than Rs. 500
2. Free Deliveries are only available for orders above Rs. 1000

Flipkart’s Competitors:

On the other side, Flipkart main rival Amazon India has a major focus on the Grocery since last year due to its repeat purchases. PayTM Mall is also expanding in this space by taking a stake in the India’s largest grocery retailer – BigBasket.

Amazon India is ahead in this race as it already selling its food products via its Amazon Pantry in many cities of India. They are also able to provide same-day delivery on the ‘Amazon Now’ app with the help of Big Bazaar and Hypercity.