Grofers launches new ‘essentials only’ interface as authorities ensure delivery in six cities

By

Isabelle Crossley

Published
Mar 26, 2020

Fast-moving consumer goods retailer Grofers has resumed deliveries of essential goods in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, and Bengaluru and hopes to do so in other cities soon.

 
Grofers had experienced difficulties delivering goods purchased on its e-commerce store, despite official regulations stating that such a practice was sanctioned. After working with local authorities in six cities, the business has been able to start up deliveries again with an all new online interface that only displays goods eligible for delivery under lockdown.
 
“Our operations were temporarily interrupted, but with the help of local authorities, we are accepting and delivering orders again,” the business announced on Facebook.

“Kindly expect a longer delivery time as we have been receiving an unprecedented number of orders.”
 
Grofers announced on Facebook on March 25 that it hopes to reopen deliveries in other cities “within a day or two.” The business is currently working with local authorities in order to deliver goods in cities including Mumbai, Kolkata, Noida, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Agra, Jaipur, Meerut, Panipat, Vadodara, Rohtak, Mohali, and Durgapur, among others. 
 
Grofers also announced that it will not deliver in Chandigarh during the lockdown as the city’s authorities have refused to allow any e-commerce operations. The business is also facing difficulties securing permission in Pune and Chennai, it said. With warehouses shut in both cities, Grofers has mobilised local teams to liaise with authorities in an attempt to re-open online orders.