Shopping via WhatsApp might soon be a reality as reports have it that JioMart might soon be embedded into the WhatsApp app.
As per a report by the Mint, Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries and WhatsApp are planning to bring an online shopping experience through the WhatsApp app for its users. The idea comes months after Facebook has poured billions in investment in Jio.
The move to integrate JioMart with WhatsApp will allow hundreds of millions of users to order products from Reliance (Jio Mart) without having to leave the app, Mint quoted two officials aware of the development.
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“It is essentially marrying of strengths for both companies. The JioMart integration is essentially adding a retail layer for WhatsApp chats. With payments now available on WhatsApp, it makes all the more sense. Now your chats, retail and payments will all be integrated within the same interface,” said Jayanth Kolla, founder and partner, Convergence Catalyst, a research firm.
Jio Mart, which was only launched last year across the country after trial runs in cities like Mumbai, is now operational across 200 cities in India. The e-commerce platform offers free express grocery delivery from neighborhood mom-and-pop stores.
JioMart, over the months, has also become a source of extra income for local kirana stores too. JioMart (just like Zomato or Swiggy) on-boards local kirana stores and ask them to deliver the orders that JioMart receives online. This allows the kirana store owner earn a commission besides earning from the grocery sale.
WhatsApp, which has been in controversy recently over its updated privacy policy, entertains over 400 million users in India. Facebook invested $5.7 billion for a 9.99% stake in Jio Platforms last year.
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The integration of the two (Jio and WhatsApp) might happen in the next six months as per the reports.
