Amazon announces programme to help offline stores leverage power of online

Code-named 'Local Shops on Amazon', the programme expected to help the ecommerce major take on rival Flipkart and Reliance's JioMart

Amazon is rolling out a programme that will bring thousands of small shops in India onto its platform to deliver groceries and essentials.

A pilot programme six months ago has brought online 5,000 retailers and shops in more than 100 cities, said the company.

“We are excited about the possibilities opened up by this programme. We intend to take the learnings from months of running this pilot and also its effectiveness during Covid-19, to scale this India-first initiative including shopkeepers and retailers across India,” said Gopal Pillai, VP, Seller Services, Amazon India.

“A lot of offline retailers are sceptical about how the