E-tailers boost infra for faster service | Kolkata News

Kolkata: With online shopping and doorstep delivery of goods, including food, being exempted by the government to bridge the demand-supply gap of various necessities in households, e-commerce and delivery entities have readied themselves for reaching the consignments faster in Kolkata and beyond.
The e-commerce business has seen robust growth during the pandemic with a sharper rise of demand for warehousing space in the city. To serve their long clientele well during the restrictions, all the e-commerce units have been emphasising on stocks. Not only households, even businesses are now majorly dependent on e-delivery. “With our restaurants being shut for a long period, our survival now hinges on food delivery apps,” said Basant Singh of New Paunjabi Dhaba in Behala.
Most e-commerce and delivery entities have ramped up their infrastructure, in terms of hiring across logistics, supply chain, customer care and engineering division. Spencer’s, Big Bazar, Easy Day Clubs have already revamped their home-delivery of garments and electronics, while a few others are waiting for more clarification from the state.
“We have experienced similar restrictions elsewhere in India and accordingly, increased our capacity. We have reduced the time lag in delivery substantially. During the pandemic, we have managed to sail through, with our contactless delivery and online payment reducing the risk of the virus spread,” said a senior official of a Kolkata-based e-commerce giant.
Kolkata, due to its strategic location, is a major warehousing hub of the eastern belt.