Bengaluru: Tata-backed Bigbasket is in discussion with its sister company Croma to sell electronics and appliances through its quick commerce vertical. "We will hopefully strike a deal with them to sell via quick commerce. Imagine getting a washing machine delivered in 15 minutes," Bigbasket co-founder and CEO, Hari Menon, said at an event in Bengaluru on Thursday.
While acquiring new online users has been a challenge, average order value for quick-commerce platforms has increased in recent months, with an expansion in their range of offerings including home improvement products, electronics, beauty, and toys. "Buying habits are also rapidly changing thanks to quick commerce. I was myself a bit sceptic about this model a few years ago but I've completely changed my mind.
Now we at bigbasket are completely focusing on this," Menon said, adding that people don't pre-plan their purchases anymore. "This business is here to stay. Companies, including Bigbasket, have proven that it is commercially viable, and businesses have scaled really fast.
Going forward, you'll see significant investments in the sector," Menon said. This comes as the grocer startup announced in February that it expects its quick commerce arm, the last of its three main businesses still in the red, to become profitable in six months. BB Now, BigBasket’s quick-commerce division, leverages the same dark stores, or warehouses, and infrastructure it uses for its other two divisions to ensure orders are delivered .
