Amazon, the US-based e-commerce firm is likely to launch its quick commerce offerings in India in the first quarter of next year, according to Economic Times.
It is reported that the company's local unit in India has entrusted the responsibility of developing its quick commerce strategy to a senior executive as part of a leadership rearrangement.
Nishant Sardana, who is currently in charge of PC, audio, camera and large appliances business at Amazon India has been reportedly given the command to run the quick commerce business.
Ranjith Babu, former Cloudtail chief executive, who was managing the wireless and home entertainment business at Amazon India, will now take over the consumer electronics, large appliances wireless and other verticals as per ET.
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The move needs to get approval from the company's headquarters, as it has not launched its quick commerce platform globally.
Amazon refused to comment on the speculation as per the Economic Times.
Amazon's venture into the quick commerce segment comes at a time when its rival Flipkart, launched its 'Minutes', its quick commerce vertical. E-grocery retailer, Big Basket has also recently announced its plans to become a fully-fledged quick commerce platform.
Though Amazon's work in the quick commerce vertical has been going on for some time, the work now has clarity and a timeline, a person aware of the matter reportedly commented on the issue as per ET.
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Amazon continues to hold talks with Swiggy over buying stakes in its quick service platform, Instamart.
Amazon would have had a head start in grocery delivery with its pantry offerings, a key segment in the quick commerce platform– but it had reportedly integrated its next-day delivery business with the fresh two-hour service.
The company is reportedly planning to bring the delivery time gradually to 20-30 minutes as the company feels the reduction of time has changed the landscape for all the players in the sector.
The company relies on more retail stores, a joint venture between Amazon and Samara Capital, to fulfil these deliveries, while also allowing consumers to do store pick-ups.
Though the final product is still a work in progress, it is reported that slotted deliveries may remain functional, as Amazon plans to start its quick commerce vertical with select SKUs (stock-keeping units, or items).
