SUMMARY
Users have to drop a message on WhatsApp chat to get the shopping link
Only 40 items are available for sale now
One can either opt for delivery or store pick up for buying groceries
After selling a 9.99% stake of Reliance Jio to Facebook, Reliance-owned grocery delivery platform JioMart has made a debut on Facebook-owned messaging platform WhatsApp. As of now, the facility is available in three areas in three suburbs near Mumbai — Navi Mumbai, Thane and Kalyan.
For using the service, a user needs to save JioMart’s number 8850008000 on the smartphone and send a ‘Hi’ on WhatsApp. JioMart then sends a link which redirects the users to a webpage where they have to fill details like name and address before proceeding to an online grocery marketplace. The link remains valid for 30 minutes.
On the marketplace, a user can buy products from the displayed catalogue. Currently, only essential items are listed as the government has limited ecommerce deliveries to essentials.
After the order is placed, details are shared with the grocery store on WhatsApp. Meanwhile, the customer is also notified with the order and the store details on WhatsApp. A link redirecting to the store location is sent to users.
An SMS is also sent to the user once the retailer is ready with the order. Users can either pay at the shop and pick up the order or can opt for home delivery. In some places, only home delivery is allowed.
Speaking to Inc42, a registered grocer on JioMart said given the situation, authorities have suspended all over the counter purchases in many parts of Thane and Navi-Mumbai. In these places, users can get their grocery home delivered.
Launched in January, JioMart is expected to be offering around 50K grocery products to customers. However, the platform is currently offering only 40 essential items like flour, rice, sugar and other grocery items.
As of now, the company has around 18 branded stores in Navi Mumbai, Thane and Kalyan. However, retail stores are meeting the demand for groceries in most of the areas.
Reliance Jio’s Muscle In Grocery
Currently, available only in Mumbai, the service is expected to be rolled out in all circles across the country. JioMart has also started to roll out its own retail stores to facilitate the delivery of groceries. Mukesh Ambani’s grocery delivery venture is looking for a major expansion with an eye on WhatsApp’s 400 Mn user base in India.
In the segment, JioMart will face direct competition from grocery delivery majors like BigBasket and Grofers. Ecommerce players like Flipkart and Amazon will also give a run to JioMart while Swiggy and Zomato have also started to capitalise on grocery orders.
Meanwhile, with B2B grocery delivery platforms like Ninjacart and Waycool directly selling to customers now, the competition has grown stiffer. However, with the might and reach of Facebook and WhatsApp, JioMart is likely to emerge as one of the leading grocery delivery companies in the future.
