Alibaba is yet to release their official date of entry after divulging that it haslocked 2016 for Indian ecommerce. But companies are already lining up to collaborate with the Chinese ecommerce giant.
Ecommerce-centric logistic firms such as Delhivery, Ecom Express and GoJavas have a common goal these days – to become delivery partner of Alibaba. For the same, the firms have initiated talks with the etailer.
Sahil Barua, CEO & Co-founder of Delhivery confirmed,
“We have discussed how best we can provide fulfilment for Alibaba, which is still finalising its India strategy. There is no official agreement yet.”
Logistics pure-players hopeful
Online marketplaces like Flipkart, Snapdeal and Amazon are trying to either build or strengthen their in-house logistics division. Flipkart is promoting Ekart, as anindependent service provider. Snapdeal bought a majority stake in GoJavas. Amazon too has set up its own logistics service in India.
The result of which is business of ecommerce-focussed delivery companies has gone down. Alibaba’s entry will give such pure-players access to a huge marketplace that has a reputation for smashing online shopping records.
Alibaba would need an all-rounder
Last year, the Chinese ecommerce leader tied up with two Indian logistic firms-Allcargo Logistics in May and MYPACCO in June.
Experts believe that for its full-fledged entry, they would need someone who can handle everything, right from deliveries to customs.
Manish Saigal, MD of Alvarez & Marsal India affirmed,
“A company like Alibaba will look for an end-to-end logistics solution provider for its India play. Logistics partners it signs on would be expected to fulfil the deliveries through its warehouse network with additional features on export-import and custom clearance.”
While delivery companies, sellers and buyers are waiting for Alibaba with bated breath, existing ecommerce players are too busy feuding. Is Alibaba grinning like a Cheshire cat?
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