With Alibaba Investment BigBasket Goes Offline

Following an investment by Alibaba, BigBasket, the online grocer, is all set to go offline. According to TOI, BigBasket is looking to supplement its core online business with offline kiosks that will stock daily groceries, fast-moving consumer goods, fruits and vegetables. This news comes after the Bangalore-based company closed a $300-million financing round led by Alibaba.

Buying groceries is fun. But, how about ordering them online? Watch out for our new TVC to know more!#getconvinced #bigbasket #TVC #groceries #groceryshopping #onlinegrocery pic.twitter.com/EJmrsiKA7W

— bigbasket (@bigbasket_com) 4 March 2018

BigBasket founder and CEO Hari Menon said, “Based on initial feedback, we are looking to sell certain stock keeping units (SKUs) in these kiosks which can be instantly bought by a shopper after firing the app,” Menon said. He, however, said this was not a move to get users who do not make online purchases on to the company’s platform.

Instead, the intention seems to be focused on servicing the instant delivery market of its existing base to push overall sales. This is in addition to the express delivery option that BigBasket already offers, promising a delivery time of 60 to 120 minutes.