With the festive season knocking on the door, e-commerce giants like Amazon have been ramping up their level of preparedness ahead of the much-awaited festive season- undeniably, the only silver lining of the year. By widening its delivery footprint across the East and the North Eastern Region, we look at how Amazon plans to cater to its clientele across the country and its very own “Look East” Policy.
Ahead of its annual mega festive sale, Ecommerce moghul Amazon has been making advancements towards extending the vistas of its reach in the Eastern and the North Eastern Region of the country, be it unveiling an Amazon Logistics Hub today in West Bengal , or announcing its plans of expanding its delivery network in the eight states of North East India .
New Amazon Logistics Hub in Howrah
Earlier today, West Bengal Chief minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated Amazon logistics centre Phase I at the Uluberia Logistics Park in Howrah.
“From here, Amazon will work (distribute and despatch products) for the eastern and northeastern states. There will be over 20,000 direct and indirect employments. This is a big thing happening in Bengal. I thank Amazon for coming to the state,” Banerjee said.
The Amazon logistics hub or fulfilment centre (FC) commenced its operations from Tuesday.
“These hubs will create a direct employment for 20,050 youths in the state and many more indirect job opportunities and I am hopeful that more investments for the logistics sector will come and generate jobs.”
~Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal
Expanding Delivery Footprint across Northeast India
With the presence of around 60 Amazon-owned and delivery service partner stations in the region, the company has added several new pin codes to its delivery footprint ahead of the festive season this year, including remote towns such as Champhai, Kolasib, Lumding, Pasighat and Mokokchung, the e-tailer said in a statement.
“Amazon has partnered with local entrepreneurs as part of the Delivery Service Partner program, enabling these small businesses with growth opportunities and helping Amazon India to penetrate into tier 3 and tier 4 locations in the North East with its own delivery services,” the statement read.
This comes in line with Amazon India’s goal to extend its reach to customers and sellers across every part of the country.
“In line with our vision of making e-commerce a part of everyday life, we have strengthened our delivery network in North East India. With the festive season right around the corner, we look forward to strengthening our presence in the region to reach a wider customer base and creating more work opportunities.”
~Prakash Rochlani, Amazon India Director, Last mile operations
Bolstering its Flagship IHS programme
In a bid to gain an edge over its competitors, Amazon had recently informed that it had strengthened its flagship ‘I Have Space’ (IHS) program.
Under the IHS initiative, Amazon India partners with local store owners to deliver products to customers within a 2-4 kilometre radius of their store, allowing them to supplement their regular income and generate more footfalls in their stores.
Amazon Flex allows delivery partners to work as per their own schedule and earn supplemental income by delivering Amazon packages.
The company is also vigorously investing in sortation and distribution centres along with expanding its workforce to cater to the anticipated rise in demand.
