Amazon starts 'ChaiCarts' to bring offline traders online

Amazon has launched a pilot intiative in Panchkula, Haryana in the name of ‘Amazon ChaiCart’. The initiative aims at educating small-time offline shoppers to get on to the online business. This mobile rickshaw will begin conversations about getting these small business owners online.

The e-commerce giant has deployed several four wheeler ‘Amazon ChaiCarts’ in Panchkula that will serve tea, cold water and lemon juice to business owners, sellers, retailers and SMEs in that area. Each Amazon Chai Cart will have trained staff, who will have discussions and conversations with interested sellers on the process of selling online, introduce them to the seller specific and also introduce them to Amazon’s seller education programs.

Amazon has been making efforts to get kirana owners online, with Amazon ChaiCart, it wants to get small and medium businesses to its platform. “The initiative aims to spread awareness among local SMEs and sellers on the benefits of selling online and introduce them to the specialized seller services that help them sell more and earn more on the Amazon India marketplace,” the company said in a statement.

The initiative will be spread across the country depending on its success. The Amazon Chai Cart also provides on-the-spot registration to Amazon India.

Amazon India has been taking several initiatives to tap the local market and bring them online. The company provides services to sellers like Easy Ship (an assisted shipping service that makes it easy for sellers to ship products across India), FBA (a pay-as-you-go service wherein Amazon packs, ships and delivers products to customers, manages returns and does customer service on behalf of the sellers) and setting up of fulfillment centers in various locations.