In a move to enter the medicine delivery space, Zepto has introduced ‘Zepto Pharmacy’ as part of its pilot programme in select locations across Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.
The offering is integrated within the company’s main app and offers both prescription and over-the-counter medicines.
“Platform analysis revealed 100+ daily null searches per store for medicines, indicating unmet customer needs. In response, we’re experimenting with Zepto Pharmacy in select locations across Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. This is an early experiment, and we have no immediate plans to scale as we focus on refining operations and ensuring a high-quality, reliable service,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.
Teleconsultation
The company has implemented a prescription verification system to comply with the law. In cases where the users do not have a prescription, the company has a teleconsultation feature.
This move comes after quick commerce firms are exploring fresh business ventures as they aim to diversify beyond their primary services.
Players like Swiggy Instamart have partnered with PharmEasy and Tata 1mg is collaborating with Tata BigBasket’s BBNow. Traditional online pharmacies have also improved on their delivery capabilities, with Apollo 24/7 launching faster delivery services in select cities.
Blinkit, the quick-commerce platform, has launched a 10-minute ambulance service in select areas of Gurgaon.
With the latest venture, Zepto will deepen its presence in quick commerce and the online medicine segment, currently dominated by Reliance Retail-owned Netmeds, Tata 1mg and Apollo Pharmacy.
According to a recent report by Grant Thornton Bharat, India’s quick commerce market is expected to surge nearly threefold to $9.94 billion by 2029 from $3.34 billion at present. The market expanded 76 per cent year-on-year in FY24.