Amazon has launched a project, code-named Udaan, in India "to go offline across the country." The Times of India reported that, "apart from tying up with small traders in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu to launch Amazon-branded stores that will help people with sketchy or no Internet connection to shop from the online Amazon store, the world's largest e-tailer has recently signed a deal with the Rajasthan government that may help it open 36,000 such stores or point-of-sales in the state."
Customers can walk into any Udaan point and shop from the Amazon store, but the online retailer will not own any of these bricks and mortar stores. Amit Agarwal, v-p and country manager for Amazon India, said, "Across the country, there is a huge ecosystem that already serves customers with services such as Aadhar cards, bill payment and mobile recharges. We wanted to take advantage of that service-based industry.... The store owners will earn commission on sales. Udaan points also integrate well with Amazon pick-up, which is a full-fledged program in 70 cities now. Later, we may take this model to other markets."
