BENGALURU: Homegrown e-retailer Flipkart has launched its business-to-business (B2B) digital marketplace as e-commerce companies drive these operations, digitize kiranas, and leverage online sales to tap into the large consumer base of the India.
Flipkart Wholesale aims to connect local manufacturers with retailers and bring the wholesale market at their fingertips through technology.
In July, Flipkart acquired the Indian operations of Walmart Inc. as its US parent consolidates its operations in this fast-growing retail market to compete with Reliance Industries Ltd and Amazon, among others. By taking control of Walmart India Pvt. Ltd, which operates Best Price cash-and-carry wholesale stores, Flipkart Wholesale digital marketplace will help the e-commerce company grow its B2B vertical.
Flipkart Wholesale claims to be a comprehensive solution that will offer businesses a wide selection of products at significant value to help them grow. The platform is currently available to fashion retailers, especially footwear and clothing, in Gurugram, Delhi and Bengaluru, with plans to expand to Mumbai as well.
By the end of the year, Flipkart Wholesale plans to expand to 20 more cities and in categories such as home, kitchen and groceries.
The B2B digital platform, accessible to retailers through the application on the Google Play Store, aims to attract more than 300 strategic partners and have more than 2 lakhs in 2 months. In addition, the platform will allow the incorporation of 50 brands and more than 250 local manufacturers in the coming days.
“Flipkart Wholesale is built on the core value proposition of bringing prosperity to Indian Kiranas and MSMEs by facilitating their business through the use of technology. With the group’s strong B2B capabilities, we will focus on meeting the needs of Kiranas and MSMEs by providing these small businesses with a wide selection at significant value, driven by technology to make their lives easier, “said Adarsh Menon, Senior Vice President President and CEO of Flipkart Wholesale.
Flipkart Wholesale customers will have access to an easy credit facility for managing cash flow, a range of products, convenient order returns, and fast product delivery directly to their stores with an easy order tracking facility.
Reliance Industries’ e-commerce portal JioMart is working with small merchants or kiranas to enable online deliveries. He plans to expand the model in the future and is expected to expand to clothing, electronics, and healthcare.
Reliance JioMart, which has been onboarding kiranas, has revolutionized a lot in the B2B market over the last six months.
“If Walmart wanted to develop its B2B side of the business only through its own stores, the only way to be successful is for Flipkart to do it because that’s the way they can scale,” said one analyst, who did not want to be named.
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