Amazon Inc., the US-based global e-commerce retailer, is increasing the number of its fulfilment centres (FCs) and delivery centres in India, in view of the increasing consumer demand.
The new fulfilment centres are being established in Mumbai, Pune, Lucknow, Gurgaon, Bhopal and Coimbatore. These warehouses will help the e-retailer ensure timely delivery of products across the country.
Amazon is working extensively to increase its presence in India, which is its biggest focus market after North America in terms of growth. The opening of the fulfilment centres across the country is in line with the company’s objective of increasing its infrastructural impression in India.
With around 62 Fulfilment Centres in over 13 states, at present, Amazon offers around 13.5 million cubic feet of storage space, the largest storage infrastructure for sellers in the e-commerce industry across India.
However, 9 of these FCs are dedicated to support the growth of the large appliances and furniture category and now 15 to support the AmazonNow business.
In a separate development, it is being said that Amazon India’s arch-rival Flipkart is also planning to set up a 4.5 square feet state-of-the-art logistics park in Bengaluru which will be home to several fulfilment centres of the e-commerce player to enhance the supply chain efficiency and slash costs of doing business by mechanising operations for intelligent transport systems.
It’s worth mentioning here that, Amazon India witnessed an 80 per cent increase in its seller base to 2.7 lakh and the majority (50 per cent) of the merchants are from Tier II cities and beyond in 2017.
The e-retailer also reported a massive increase in demand for kidswear on amazon.in. Kidswear brands such as Mothercare, Marks & Spencer, Gini Jony, GAP Kids, United Colors of Benetton, US Polo and 612 League are majorly retailed on Amazon.
Amazon does not want to leave any stone unturned in view of the growth momentum predicted for the e-commerce sector in India. RedSeer Management Consulting anticipated that e-commerce in India would note a 60 per cent growth to reach US $ 28-30 billion in GMV (Gross Merchandise Volume) in 2018 as compared to 23 per cent (US $ 17.8 billion) growth registered in 2017.
