To boost its reach, Grofers said that it has partnered with 600 small businesses and store owners across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata. According to a company executive, the company aims to take this number to 2000 by the end of 2018 end and expands its reach across 13 markets in which it operates.

The company said that the partnership with small businesses is being done under ‘Grofers Service Partners' program which includes collaboration with local entrepreneurs with the aim to create fast and reliable delivery experience for consumers who place the order on its online platform.

“This program is expected to not only take us a step closer to our customers but also create extra income opportunities for small business owners. Furthermore, there is an option of working part time or becoming part time partners. We are extremely happy with the initial results of the program, with close to 125,000 delivered orders in August 2018, through our GSPs. With the current success of the program, we are looking out for more service partners and expansion in all Grofers markets,” said Albinder Dhindsa, Co-founder and CEO, Grofers.

According to a company executive, local businesses are currently contributing to 16% of total delivery volume. “At Grofers, we have been working towards smartly aligning a delivery person to a family, for consumer convenience and improved interaction. The program would be a great step towards that strategy since the GSP Program would be delivering orders within a 3–4 kilometre radius of their establishment. At present 16% of daily orders are being delivered by Grofers Service Partners and we are planning to increase it to 50% of our overall orders by 2018 end,” said Yeshu Bansal, VP – Operations, Grofers.