Flipkart's EKART introduces smart consumer courier service

Logistics arm of Flipkart EKART Courier announced its first-of-its-kind consumer courier services to ramp up the game of logistics industry through its well-established technological prowess.

With this venture, EKART enters into a direct consumer facing business with an objective of structuring the fragmented courier market in India.

EKART, which is currently the largest logistics company in India, through this service will deliver across 3800+ pin codes with pick-ups enabled in eight cities by June 2016. An industry first, the service will allow users to drop a pin for both the pick-up and delivery addresses on a map that is provided by the FLIP (Flipkart's mapping platform) which will significantly solve the issues of pincode-address mismatches, reduce misrouting of couriers and improve reliability.

This will soon be coupled with RFID and GPS based real time tracking enabling users to visualize the courier's journey over the map further enhancing the existing track and trace.

EKART Courier also offers consumers the benefit of 24x7 online booking on Mobile and Website, slotted door-step pick-up, free and reliable packaging, transparent pricing and assurance on delivery time.

"Consumers in India have experienced EKART's service through our e-commerce deliveries and they have come to value the reliability, convenience and speed that we bring in. The launch of EKART Courier is an extension of this re-assurance," said Vice President Flipkart, Amitesh Jha.

"Consumer can now use their long trusted service to send personal packages and documents to their near ones without any worry. Through EKART courier, we aim to address significant fundamental challenges faced by consumers such as hunting for a courier agent/shop, tracking the parcel, ensure the parcel is packed securely so it does not get damaged," added Amitesh Jha.

He added that customers will no more have to go through any packaging hassles or run around to send a courier, EKART courier promises a service at their convenience.

The dedicated wish masters will package the items in safe, secure packaging material and deliver the products within the stipulated time-period promised at the time of booking.

The estimated growth of the domestic courier industry (across all segments) is pegged at Rs. 22,000 crore by 2016-17 of which about 50 percent is structured, with global brands accounting for only 12 percent of the overall market share.

With EKART's extensive reach across the country, EKART Courier will deliver products within a shorter duration and with competitive price points.