Local Kirana Stores Can Now List, Sell On Amazon India; 5000 Already On Board!

As the e-commerce platforms and retailers are asking the government to allow sales of non-essential goods comprising summer-related electronics, laptops, mobile phones, home appliances and other goods, Amazon is all set to invest Rs10 crore in ramping up a pilot program!

The program will see the online retailer engage with 5,000 local stores selling electronics, apparel, toys, furniture, grocery, home furnishings, to list on its platform as the company continues to expand its range of sellers and products.

Read to find out more…

Offline Retailers Can Now Sell Online!

Amazon already works with many manufacturers, online-only sellers and even retailers who sell their products on its online platform.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown has changed the shopping pattern of the customers. With physical stores shut due to the lockdowns, Amazon said it has ramped up the programme that will enable offline retailers, some with no prior experience of selling online, to list on its website.

Local shop owners drive India’s bulk retail trade and are essential for the daily shopping habits of the customers! 

India will become one of the first markets where Amazon will engage at such a scale with local shop owners.

Amazon has been doing more work with India’s small business owners, manufacturers and suppliers as it tries to rapidly draw more sellers and partners into its fold to grow its share in India’s retail market.

Earlier in 2020, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos pledged $1 billion in new investments to help take small Indian businesses online. He also left no stones unturned as he wooed merchants and the government amid regulatory scrutiny and protests by traders. The investments, said Bezos, will touch as many as 10 million small and medium businesses, including manufacturers, resellers, local offline shops and brands.

Recently, Google also announced free listing of goods and services on its Google Shopping Tab aiming to promote offline retailers, meaning anyone can list and sell products on Google!

What is Amazon’s New Programme About?

The ‘Local Shops on Amazon’ programme will help the customers discover products from local shops in their city from the convenience of their homes. Meanwhile this will help shopkeepers supplement footfalls with a digital presence and expand beyond their normal catchment. 

Currently, shops that sell groceries and essentials are already live on Amazon’s platform as under India’s strict lockdown regulations, allow the sale of only these products.

The pilot includes sellers from different categories like groceries, kitchen appliances, home, furniture, apparel and automotive.

Amazon Believes Online Shopping Will Prevail Even After Lockdown!

Gopal Pillai, Amazon India Vice President for seller services, said in an interview that Amazon has been testing this programme for 6 months with over 5,000 local shops and retailers from over a hundred Indian cities.

Pillai also said the company is awaiting relaxation in rules, once the lockdown is lifted, to be able to roll out the programme fully.

Pillai pointed out that the company is accelerating the launch of the programme as the viral outbreak has prompted shoppers to increasingly order more products online. This switch, many retailers believe, will prevail well after the global pandemic is over as consumers avoid visiting busy areas and prefer to browse for goods online.

In addition he said, “What we are saying now more than ever is that we need to step up and help small businesses and local shopkeepers. We are committing Rs10 crore in investment to expedite onboarding and training and enablement of these stores to take advantage of this opportunity. Once the lockdown is lifted this programme can bridge the gap for customers who want to maintain social distancing”.

Pillai added the investment in this programme is over and above the investments promised in January.

Are Google and Amazon at loggerheads as the customers switch to online shopping! Will this mean more opportunities for offline retailers and manufacturers?