After its recent strategic partnership with Facebook, Reliance JIO announced JioMart. Using JioMart consumers would get access to the nearest kirana or departmental stores and be able to order online, and then eventually via WhatsApp. This service is live in India’s major metro cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai.
The JioMart website is live, however, Reliance is yet to launch a dedicated app. The company has not officially confirmed the list of cities. However, some pin-codes on the website are deliverable.
JioMart is Reliance’s newest online destination for grocery shopping, powered by Reliance Retail’s Smart and Fresh stores. The website offers various categories including fruits and veggies, dairy and bakery, personal care etc. A delivery fee of Rs 25 is chargeable if customers place orders less than Rs 750.
For the past few months, JioMart was in the test-run phase in areas of Navi Mumbai, Thane and Kalyan. JioMart also has a business account through which customers can add a contact tag and place orders. However, the WhatsApp service functions in select pin-codes only.
Reliance has also begun signing small kirana stores which can allow customers to order online and have groceries delivered at their doorstep, from neighbourhood shops.
Facebook’s investment of Rs 43574 crore bought the social media giant a 9.99% stake in Reliance Jio. The company stated that out of the total investment, around Rs 14976 crores shall be retained at Jio Platforms. This amount will drive future growth, including the in-the-making JioMart shopping platform on WhatsApp.