Online marketplace Snapdeal has expanded its delivery reach in 2019 by adding another 3500 pin codes to its logistics network. The company now claims to serve more than 26,000 pin codes across all 28 states and 9 Union Territories.
Snapdeal said in a statement that it has expanded its network to cover small towns in key markets like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, etc. It now also covers more pin codes in lower density markets like Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Nagaland, etc.
This expansion of the network follows Snapdeal’s focus on the non-metro segment, with almost 90% of its orders coming from customers living outside the metro cities.
“The network expansion is a logical next step of our leadership in Bharat-focused e-commerce. This growth in our reach reflects the vast potential of value-focused e-commerce in our country and we plan to add more areas to our network in 2020,” a Snapdeal spokesperson said in a statement.
Snapdeal claims that over 120 small cities and towns reported 2X volumes over last year during the Diwali season. These include cities like Khammam, Hassan, Miryalaguda and Bhimavaram in the south, Satara, Anand, Bharuch and Pali (West India), Malerkotla, Roorkee, Jhansi and Haridwar (North India), Hazaribagh, Raniganj and Paradip (East India), Tezpur, Itanagar and Majuli (North-East India).
As part of the network expansion, Snapdeal has also implemented a machine learning-based solution to select the right partner for shipping the products. The tool optimizes the partner network to bring efficiency, speed, and visibility in delivery.
Indian e-commerce is now growing beyond the first 100 million urban users. A market of potentially 400 million new users is emerging across India’s Tier 2 and 3 cities, growing even deeper into smaller towns across the country.
Accordingly, Snapdeal has deepened its focus on value-priced merchandise over the past two years. It says that it added 60,000+ new sellers, who have added over 50 million new listings.