BigBasket ramps up national roll-out of delivery network
Indian online grocer BigBasket is preparing to extend its delivery coverage into the country’s Tier II cities. According to local reports, the company has recently launched delivery services in the National Capital Region, Pune, Chennai, Ahemdabad and Kolkata and is now set to start a pilot in Mysuru which will act as a testing ground for its business model for tier-II cities.
“Over the next twelve months, we want to reach 50 smaller cities,” Hari Menon, the chief executive officer of BigBasket, was quoted as saying.
Menon told local media that company will use its existing warehouses in the large eight cities where it already has a presence to cater to the neighbouring smaller cities in a “hub and spoke” manner. So, the company’s New Delhi warehouse, for example, will support the two smaller nearby cities of Noida and Gurgaon.
BigBasket uses a fleet of minivans for the final mile delivery to the customers. Each van delivers up to nine orders in one time slot, Menon reportedly told the Business Standard, and customers can choose from among four time slots for their scheduled delivery.