Flipkart's logistics unit plans to set up a Consumer to Consumer courier based service via Ekart courier. Delivery executives will pick up packages from the customer's doorstep—once the courier order is placed online—and deliver them across India, along with providing packaging services. The courier service will be first provided in Bengaluru, and then in other big cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.
VP at Ekart said "We ran the pilot for a few months and realized the void in the courier market, which is largely unorganized. Making sure the pick-up is executed on time and providing packaging to ensure safety is the unique proposition to our model. Existing tech infrastructure will play a key role in ensuring good margins. We are looking to corner about 5-10% market share over a period of one year."
The customer can choose the time slot to have the pick-up boy come over. Ekart will also provide envelopes, bubble-wrap packaging etc., free of cost. There is no condition for minimum weight, but maximum is 10 kg. The packages are shipped and tracked the same way as in Ekart. Delivery time is four days for the standard option, and two days for the prime one. Overnight delivery option will be provided in a month too.
For its core business-to-business logistics facility, Ekart is aggressively seeking external clients and 50 companies have expressed interest in its services. At present, EKart claims to fulfil about 3.5 lakh orders.