Pescafresh to launch e-commerce website and mobile app

Now fish trading is also set to go online. Mumbai-based Ace Seafood Bazaar, which runs "Pescafresh", plans to launch a new e-commerce website (www.pescafresh.com) followed by its own mobile application. The company will invest Rs 25-30 crore in the next three years.

The company which distributes 4 tonnes of clean, fresh fish to households in four major metros daily now plans to enter Pune this financial year. Sangram Sawant, founder and CEO said that the company had started its e-commerce platform and is in discussion with major retail brands to move into other major centres.

Pescafresh has already opened five distribution centres in Mumbai and one each in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Delhi.

He said that in India almost 100% of the fish distribution channels are in the unorganised sector, which neglects the hygienic part of the trade. There is growing awareness among consumers especially in metros that the fish they receive from local vendors are unhyegenic, causing health problems.

In India, fish trade is a massive business of Rs 85,000 crore annually and the average per capita consumption is 9.5 Kgs. "If 2-5% of this is shifted to organised channels, there is immense scope for us. So, we plan to tap the potential in a planned manner," Sawant said.

He added that the company targeted to have a turnover of Rs 35 crore with a CAGR of 75-80% in 2015-16. This is definitely a changing trend and there is very large potential for the distribution network of clean fish and fish products.

The company collects roughly 40 varieties of fish from 50 fish landing centers across the country and processes them at various centres. "In Mumbai we deliver fish within 90 minutes to 3 hours as per order," Sawant added.

Apart from its own outlets, the company works extensively with organised retailers such as Godrej Nature's Basket, Future Group Retail - Food Hall, Aditya Birla Group - More Hypermarkets, TESCO Star Bazaar, Tata Trent Gourmet West and the Le Marche Gourmet chain from Delhi.