Flipkart, the e-commerce giant owned by Walmart, plans to roll out a new service for medicine delivery in just 10 minutes. The service will be available in select metropolitan areas, according to a report by ET.
With this new delivery service, Flipkart is entering the competitive world of online pharmacies and quick commerce. The move will put the company in direct competition with well-known players like Tata-owned 1mg, Reliance-backed Netmeds, and PharmEasy. These companies are already established in the online medicine delivery market.
Expanding Flipkart Minutes
This new service is part of Flipkart’s larger effort to expand its quick commerce arm, Flipkart Minutes. Initially launched in Bengaluru in August 2024, Flipkart Minutes has already expanded to Delhi-NCR and Mumbai. The company also plans to include Kolkata, Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai in the near future.
Flipkart Minutes is already offering free deliveries for a variety of products through partnerships with local grocery stores and Kirana shops. The new medicine delivery service will follow the same model, working with local chemists to provide fast, convenient delivery.
Partnering with Local Chemists
In order to comply with India’s strict drug regulations, Flipkart will not hold inventory of medicines but will work with licensed local chemists. This will allow Flipkart to follow the rules and regulations while still offering fast delivery. Local chemists will supply the medicines, and Flipkart will handle the fast delivery through its advanced logistics network.
Growing Competition in Quick Commerce
The new medicine delivery service puts Flipkart in competition with other quick commerce players in the healthcare space. For example, Swiggy Instamart has partnered with PharmEasy for 10-minute deliveries. Flipkart’s move is expected to add even more pressure to the competition in the fast-growing sector of quick deliveries.
Amazon India is also planning to launch its own quick commerce service called Tez by the end of 2024. This will add to the already heated competition between Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, and now Flipkart. Blinkit currently leads the market with a 46% share, followed by Zepto with 29%, and Swiggy Instamart at 25%, according to a report by Motilal Oswal.
In conclusion, Flipkart’s move into 10-minute medicine delivery shows the company’s growing interest in quick commerce. This new service is expected to bring significant changes to the online pharmacy market in India.
