MUMBAI: DHL Supply Chain (“DHL”), the global market leader in contract logistics, launches its latest offering – the India Fulfilment Network (IFN), in Bangalore. This first-of-its-kind service will be rolled out to benefit the growing number of small and medium retail businesses that have seen a shift in their business models to online marketplaces, largely spurred by movement restrictions caused by the ongoing pandemic. DHL will invest more than INR 25 crores to further scale this network across major metros and state capitals in the country over the next 12 months.

Even before the pandemic, the opportunity in the e-commerce market in India has been evident and is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 27%I by 2024, with a large number of sellers in various categories showing a keen interest in shifting to an omni-channel model. The ecommerce boom during the Covid-19 pandemic has further boosted online retail transactions across India, especially with government-imposed social distancing protocols and a resultant decline in customers at brick and mortar shops. Relatedly, the expansion of e-commerce and 3PL sectors is also fueling demand for warehousing, which is expected to increase at 160%ii.  

The IFN is a launch pad curated for easing the B2C fulfillment process. It is a 360-degree supply chain solution for enterprises across sectors, allowing them to manage their immediate operations seamlessly in a fully online marketplace scenario. In addition to this, the IFN also offers transportation linkages to customers, providing last mile delivery services to further bolster their independent dot.com models. DHL’s strategically located sites, in proximity to the major urban centers, offer SMEs a multi-user network solution with access to its established services that would support them across the entire supply chain. This ‘plug and play’ model that provides end-to-end tracking and monitoring will enable merchants to directly sell their products across the whole country, leveraging DHL’s network without having to make huge investments in infrastructure and IT. 

The IFN will help power Indian businesses’ e-commerce business models by providing access to omni-channel distribution capabilities across key markets. “Ultimately the IFN allows SMEs to take advantage of DHL’s scale in a way that is flexible and tailored to their needs,” said Vikas Anand, Managing Director, DHL Supply Chain, India.  

Additionally, with its “Pay-per-use model”, the IFN also gives large retailers and big brands the option to de-risk their supply chains by having access to e-fulfillment hubs across the country, which would be in addition to their main distribution centers. This would ensure their sales and distribution channels are less impacted in case of local lockdowns.

With its “Pay-per-use model”, the IFN also gives large retailers and big brands the option to de-risk their supply chains by having access to e-fulfillment hubs across the country, which would be in addition to their main distribution centers. This would ensure their sales and distribution channels are less impacted in case of local lockdowns.