Amazon Food Delivery Service Launched In India! Potential Threat To Zomato, Swiggy Amid Corona Pandemic?

The food outlets covered by Amazon India so far include Box8, Chai point, Chaayos, Faasos, Mad Over Donuts. The firm has also made tie-ups with restaurants from hotel chains like Radisson, Marriott, Shao, Melange, M Cafe and more.

Service will be covering nearly 100 restaurants and be available in four pin codes in Bengaluru. (File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: With the outbreak of Coronavirus enforcing nationwide lockdown in India, several e-commerce food giants including Zomato and Swiggy are going through a tough time. Adding more to their stress, Amazon has announced to enter the vast online food delivery market in India. The Indian operations of the company on Thursday introduced 'Amazon Food' at select parts of Bengaluru. As of now, the service will be covering nearly 100 restaurants and be available in four pin codes in Bengaluru - Mahadevapura, Marathalli, Whitefield and Bellandur. The food outlets covered by Amazon India so far include Box8, Chai point, Chaayos, Faasos, Mad Over Donuts. The firm has also made tie-ups with restaurants from hotel chains like Radisson, Marriott, Shao, Melange, M Cafe and more. The reports of firm gearing up to launch its own online food delivery division started surfacing last year when there were several developments going around Zomato-Swiggy merger. Amazon India has been testing the service for a few months now and is all set to give a tough competition to food delivery apps in the Indian market. As quoted in an IANS report, an Amazon spokesperson said that "Customers have been telling us for some time that they would like to order prepared meals on Amazon in addition to shopping for all other essentials. This is particularly relevant in present times as they stay home safe. We also recognise that local businesses need all the help they can get." Going by a recent analysis conducted by business consultancy firm Market Research Future, the India market is piping hot as the online food ordering market in the country is likely to grow at over 16 per cent annually to touch $17.02 billion by 2023. Amid such records, the e-commerce giant Amazon has already pumped in more than $6.5 billion in India and the vast online food landscape is a lucrative opportunity once the lockdown opens and people get to order food more.