After buying Whole Foods in the United States, Amazon is targeting groceres in India. Bangalore, India-based BigBasket, a five-year-old e-grocer, has signed a 60 day exclusivity agreement with Amazon India during which time Amazon will conduct a due diligence on the company’s assets with a view to acquisition
Valued at $450 million since its last round of funding, BigBasket’s asking price of $700 million stalled the transaction, reports ET Retail. A final value will be decided once the inquiry is completed successfully. It is uncertain whether Amazon will go ahead with the final deal and so BigBasket is also on the lookout for fresh capital.
Acquiring BigBasket, which has created a supply chain and back end infrastructure, will add to Amazon’s e-commerce growth; it will also enable Amazon’s entry into the hugely untapped grocery and food market in India. Technopak pegs the grocery and food market in India at $400 billion of which organized retail contributes $12 billion to the industry, while online e-grocers have a 4% share, its report said, outlining viable prospects for the players.
