Walmart India continued to expand its wholesale e-commerce platform in India.
It said today it has extended its business-to-business e-commerce platform to members of its store in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh. They will now be able to use www.bestprice.in to shop.
The company has to restrict its sales in India to wholesale and does not sell directly to consumers due to Indian laws designed to protect local chains and stores.
Besides Wal-Mart, Metro too offers cash-and-carry services in India, but has not focused on e-commerce like the larger US company.
Wal-Mart is well known for its keen interest in entering the consumer market, but has been kept back by the government over fears that it will exterminate local chains owned by Indian businessmen. As a result, to shop on Walmart ecommerce site in India, you will need to produce a document saying you own a retail shop.
Meanwhile, Indian retail is shifting rapidly to the online model, which is leaving Indian chains on the defensive.
Online too, the government does not allow foreign ownership, forcing companies like Flipkart, Snapdeal and Amazon to depend on third-party retailers to supply goods on their websites.
Walmart India launched the B2B e-commerce platform on 1st July 2014 for members of Lucknow and Hyderabad Best Price stores, and extended it in Best Price Modern Wholesale stores at Guntur and Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh on 1st October, 2014. With the launch in Rajahmundry, Walmart India successfully extends e-commerce to all the Best Price stores in Andhra Pradesh.
“This platform provides an excellent avenue for its members to virtually view a huge array of products and make their respective selections without the need of physically visiting the store. Through this portal a member can avail selection from similar assortment of products at display in the brick and mortar Best Price Modern Wholesale stores including a select variety of fresh fruits and vegetables introduced recently,” it said.
Krish Iyer, President and CEO, Walmart India, said, “We have received an overwhelming response from our members in Lucknow, Hyderabad, Guntur and Vijayawada and we are certain that members in Rajahmundry too would benefit significantly.”
Prior to the launch, the Walmart India team organized various workshops and programs in the city to generate awareness amongst its members on this initiative and also to create better understanding about the website navigation, benefits and registration processes.
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