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Maggi, the popular noodles brand from Nestle, is making a comeback through the online route. Buyers are making a beeline at e-commerce portal Snapdeal and registering for buying Maggi noodles.
This is the first time that a food item is being sold through online registration. Such a practice has, so far, been popular with offers for gadgets and appliances - mobile phones, televisions, etc. Snapdeal would start selling Maggi noodles from coming Thursday.
"We have had sales for a number of mobile phones from various companies, but, this is the first time we are opening registration for Maggi noodles. The euphoria around return of one of the most popular food products in the country is so great that we decided to hold registrations for it," said a senior official from Snapdeal.
Buyers interested in Maggi noodles would have to register on Snapdeal. After registration, they would get reminder once the sale begins. The moment sale opens, buyers can access a link for purchase. "If initial response to the registration is anything to go by, then this would be a huge online launch for the noodles," the official added. However, he declined to share the number of people who have registered.
According to officials at Snapdeal, the portal has tied-up with Nestle India and would commence a 'big bang festive launch' for the 'two-minute' snack. "We are going to give away surprise gifts to people who register and the whole launch would be on the lines of the festive season sales we are having. We started the registration process on Monday. Till now, we have got a great response from people," the official added.
However, Snapdeal would not be selling or delivering Maggi noodles in states where the ban is still in place. "We will only start sales in all those states where the local administration has lifted the ban on sale of Maggi noodles, others would, sadly, have to wait," the official added.
Snapdeal is not the only online platform, which is to start selling Maggi noodles. E-grocers, too, are keenly waiting for availability of the noodles in retail stores, after which they can start delivering noodles to their customers. Some of these sellers are in talks with Nestle for a possible re-launch of Maggi on their portals, or via apps.
"We have been in talks with Nestle regarding the re-launch of Maggi on PepperTap. We will, however, start selling it as soon as it hits the shelves of our partner stores. Maggi noodles is quite an important product for us," said Milind Sharma, co-founder and VP, business, PepperTap.
