E-grocery start-ups unwrap new business models amidst lockdown

A ‘store-finder’ feature, rationalising SKUs, new delivery design, hiring delivery staff from companies that are laying off, etc are some of the business innovations that e-grocery, fresh foods and meat start-ups have adopted to fulfil real-time consumer demand during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The $70-billion Indian online consumer economy is going through perhaps its worst phase so far, as it grapples with the prospect of a 90 per cent drop in GMV this April.

But, armed with innovative business models, start-ups such as BigBasket, iD Fresh Foods, Licious and Nandu’s Chicken have seen a sharp spike in orders, new customer acquisitions and an increase in average order value, as consumers look for safe-to-eat, hygienic products.