Highlights:
- Amazon to start with food delivery in India
- Amazon to start the food delivery business from Bengaluru
- Both Zomato and Swiggy will initiate alcohol delivery in India due to lockdown
US-based e-commerce and tech giant Amazon.com Inc. is all set to enter the food delivery market in India. The delivery service which is called Amazon Food has been launched in a few pin codes in Bengaluru.
Some users in Bengaluru can already see the food delivery option under Amazon Food.
On its application, Amazon has highlighted, “Free and contactless delivery, hygiene certifies restaurants,”.
An Amazon spokesperson said, “We are launching Amazon Food in select Bangalore pin codes allowing customers to order from handpicked local restaurants and cloud kitchens that pass our high hygiene certification bar. We are adhering to the highest standards of safety to ensure our customers remain safe while having a delightful experience,”.
As per the application, as of now the service is being offered in parts of Bellandur, Haralur, Marathalli, and Whitefield of Bengaluru. However, it is not explicitly told that the company aims at expanding the food delivery service for the rest of the city.
Reports suggest that Amazon Food was supposed to be launched in February this year, however, due to the Coronavirus Outbreak it was delayed. Despite having a huge war chest, it would be interesting to see whether Amazon Food will be able to take on the likes of Zomato and Swiggy especially at a time when the restaurant industry has been severely hit.
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Amazon is also delivering essentials products through Amazon Pantry where it offers products in categories such as food items, groceries, beverages, and health and beauty items among others. The e-commerce giant also delivers food delivery items which include ready-to-eat meals via Amazon Prime Now and Amazon Fresh.
Other services like Swiggy, Zomato, Big Basket, and Grofers went big on essential item delivery in the backdrop of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Talking about Zomato and Swiggu, they have started alcohol delivery services in Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand. They are planning to expand their services in other cities of the state in this week.
Swiggy has a new category called Wine Shops from where customers can order liquor at home.
Swiggy’s Vice President (VP) of products, Anuj Rathi said, “By enabling home delivery of alcohol in a safe and responsible manner, we can generate additional business for retail outlets while solving the problem of overcrowding, thereby promoting social distancing.” in a statement said.
Customer who wishes to order alcohol will first have to verify their age and go through user authentication via a selfie-and a government ID card.
The company will also put a cap on the maximum quantity of alcohol that can be bought.
