Flipkart is shutting down its hyper-local service Nearby within the five months of its launch. This service was only available in Bangalore as an experiment and company decided not to continue with this experiment. It was launched back on October last year.
Nearby offered a wide range of products in different categories including branded food, Groceries and Staples, Beverages, Breakfast, dairy and eggs, Household Supplies, Personal care, Health and Wellness and Baby care. The Company was also delivering these products within one hour of receiving an order.
Flipkart’s Nearby was available in neighbourhoods of Koramangala, HSR Layout, BTM Layout, Ejipura, Jayanagar, JP Nagar, and Bellandur in Bangalore. These are the areas where most of the startup employees live.
The Company has decided to shutdown service due to poor demand and lack of margins. This move came from the newly appointed Chief Executive Binny Bansal, who wants to cut the cost and focus on key offerings.
Flipkart is not the only company which faced trouble in the hyper-local market. Grofers also backed out from nine cities. PepperTap also laid off 400 delivery guys. It is interesting to note that Amazon also launched its grocery delivery service in Bangalore as a pilot project. Amazon partnered with offline stores such as Big Bazaar, Nature’s Basket, Reliance Fresh and In and Out. Amazon has yet to decide whether it will continue with this service.
It is interesting to note that Amazon also launched its grocery delivery service in Bangalore as a pilot project. Amazon partnered with offline stores such as Big Bazaar, Nature’s Basket, Reliance Fresh and In and Out. Amazon has yet to decide whether it will continue with this service.
