JioMart to Get the Much Needed Push through WhatsApp and Reliance Retail Partnership

After Facebook today announced investing Rs 43,574 crore into Jio platforms, Reliance Retail Limited and WhatsApp have also entered into a commercial partnership agreement. As part of the agreement, WhatsApp will be used to further accelerate Reliance Retail’s new commerce business on the JioMart platform as well as to support small businesses on WhatsApp.

“WhatsApp already plays an important role in helping people and businesses connect in India. Reliance Retail’s New Commerce platform, JioMart, is being built in partnership with millions of small merchants and kirana shops to empower them to better serve the needs of Indian consumers. The companies will work closely to ensure that consumers are able to access the nearest kiranas who can provide products and services to their homes by transacting seamlessly with JioMart using WhatsApp,” said the company in a statement.

JioMart was announced earlier this year and is yet to see a full-scale commercial launch. JioMart, which is currently available in Navi-Mumbai, Thane and Kalyan, is expected to begin to function in other parts of the country as well. The venture pegs itself as “Desh Ki Nayi Dukaan” and they currently deliver within selected areas of Navi Mumbai, Kalyan and Thane. There is also an option for consumers to pre-register for the launch on the website and save Rs 3000.

While there is not much information on JioMart as of now, from the official website one can gather that there would be over 50,000 grocery products available, there would be no minimum order value and free delivery is being offered for all purchases, and express delivery and no questions asked return policy will be encouraged.

Commenting on the partnership with Facebook, Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director, Reliance Industries Ltd, said: “When Reliance launched Jio in 2016, we were driven by the dream of INDIA’S DIGITAL SARVODAYA – India’s Inclusive Digital Rise to improve the quality of life of every single Indian and to propel India as the world’s leading Digital Society. All of us at Reliance are therefore humbled by the opportunity to welcome Facebook as our long-term partner in continuing to grow and transform the digital ecosystem of India for the benefit of all Indians. The synergy between Jio and Facebook will help realise Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s ‘Digital India’ Mission with its two ambitious goals — ‘Ease of Living’ and ‘Ease of Doing Business’ – for every single category of Indian people without exception. In the post-Corona era, I am confident of India’s economic recovery and resurgence in the shortest period of time. The partnership will surely make an important contribution to this transformation.”