META hosted the second edition of its annual flagship event, Fuel for India 2021, on 15 December. The event showcased the stories of change in the country with a focus on digital communities, creators, entrepreneurs and small businesses. Marne Levine, Chief Business Officer, Meta spoke to Akash and Isha Ambani, Directors, Reliance Jio Platforms Ltd.
On the partnership between JioMart and Whatsapp, Aakash said that the shopping experience on JioMart through WhatsApp was ‘conversational’ in nature.
“WhatsApp is extremely simple and easy to use; Hence there is no customer interruption while ordering for supplies. It’s extremely intuitive – so there are no barriers to technology. And digital shopping is now an extension of messaging for JioMart via WhatsApp, all done effortlessly in a few steps. In fact, it is a revolution in consumer easing,” he said.
Isha said:
“A customer has to place an order only on JioMart. Bread, butter, vegetables, beverages, everything you need in your home that day or that week… View a product, set up a subscription to regular purchases if that’s what you want, or based on your past purchase history But get personalized recommendations, it’s all there.”
Here is the full transcript of the conversation:
Marne: Thank you all for participating in our second Fuel for India event. India is in the midst of one of the most dynamic social and economic transformations the world has ever seen. Today, more than 700 million people in India now have access to the Internet – and this access is fueling the creation of innovative new enterprises, and connecting people in all new ways. India is truly a place unlike any other, and we are constantly inspired by the way this dynamic country constantly innovates, redefines horizons and creates new templates for the world to follow. With this, now let me introduce you to two very special guests. Please join us in welcoming Isha Ambani – Director and Head of Strategy at Reliance Retail, Reliance Jio Infocomm, and Akash Ambani – Director and Head of Strategy at Reliance Jio. You are most welcome both – thank you for coming here.
Isha: Thanks Marne. Glad to be here with you.
Sky: the pleasure is ours. Thanks Marne and congratulations for joining us on the second fueling milestone for India.
Marne: Among Reliance Jio’s many contributions to India, it has made affordable internet access available to millions of Indians today. And it has been truly revolutionary – for both people and businesses. This is part of the reason why our company is so thrilled to partner closely with you, as we share a vision of empowering both small businesses and entrepreneurs. And so first of all I want to talk about the future of retail in India. How do you think our partnership has been able to meet our shared goals, especially in the midst of the pandemic?
Isha: We believe that small businesses are the economic backbone of our country. The pandemic has really brought home the truth that there is an urgent need for small merchant stores, retailers and small businesses to convert their physical brick and mortar stores to digital storefronts. For us, this meant accelerating their responsibility to enable them digitally. We are delighted that through the power of our partnership we have decided to rapidly leverage the strength of the WhatsApp platform that provides access to over 400 million people. With the same number of Jio customers it seemed like a natural progression for us to be able to support these businesses not only through online digital connections with our customers, but also very specific digital-commerce solutions quickly. can be developed and manufactured.
Sky: To put some numbers, we currently have over half a million retailers and it is growing everyday. We were very clear that JioMart’s unmatched network – in both online and offline retail – should be leveraged optimally given the size of the opportunity. We are very excited about our partnership with Meta and in collaboration with the WhatsApp team, we intend to build core features that will not only help users shop on WhatsApp but also help retailers to increase stock assortment, margin will also help to improve and achieve them. Perhaps closer to a larger base of customers like never before. They will be able to receive new orders apart from maintaining their relationship with their regular user base.
Isha: This has huge personal significance for Aakash and me personally, as it means we are moving closer to our father’s vision of enabling millions of small retailers to go digital first through Jio and JioMart… Which is really a motivating factor for us.
Marne: This is such an inspiring philosophy! JioMart is not only adding value to businesses but also making physical socio-economic impact. Small traders – or kiranas – have been the backbone of India’s economy for centuries. And as more and more of them join the world of e-commerce, how has it changed the shopping experience for consumers?
Sky: The JioMart experience through WhatsApp is indeed, in very simple words – ‘interactive’ in nature. WhatsApp is extremely simple and easy to use; Hence there is no customer interruption while ordering for supplies. It’s extremely intuitive – so there are no barriers to technology. And digital shopping is now an extension of messaging for JioMart via WhatsApp, all done effortlessly in a few steps. In fact, it is a revolution in consumer ease.
Isha: A customer has to place an order only on JioMart. Bread, butter, vegetables, beverages, everything you need in your home that day or that week… View a product, set up a subscription to regular purchases if that’s what you want, or based on your past purchase history At Get personalized recommendations, it’s all there.
Marne: Unforgettable. So simple, easy and convenient for the consumers. But I know it took a ton of hard work and intense collaboration to make that experience a reality – and to do it at a time when nothing was normal. So I just thank and congratulate you – Isha, Akash and everyone at Jio – for making JioMart a reality, and for trusting us in that partnership. We are very proud of this work. I want to go a little further and talk about Jio’s strong customer base. Jio Mobile has given millions of people access to affordable data plans. Most of the mobile phone users in India are on the prepaid recharge format, which basically means people pay the rent for their phone usage on the go. I would love to know more about how Jio mobile recharge via WhatsApp is working, and how it is making that experience easier for people.
Sky: I’m glad you picked it up. As the Jio and Meta teams work together, we are opening up more and more avenues for working together. One such way is Jio on WhatsApp, which is making the whole ‘prepaid recharge’ easy. This will give the consumers such convenience like never before. There’s no better way to show how we’re going to change the experience for our consumers than to show what I mean. Let’s go through the life of a Jio consumer on WhatsApp.
Marne: Convenience at the fingertips of millions – I love it! In this regard, payment through WhatsApp is now live on the UPI platform. And I think as a result of this the JioMobile recharge process can become even easier for the people. Do you have the same thinking?
Isha: Yes, this makes it very easy for anyone to adopt. For example, for older citizens who may find it difficult to go out sometimes, this Jio recharge facility via WhatsApp is very helpful! And Pay on WhatsApp adds to that ease!
Sky: It is really exciting how the ability to pay for recharges through WhatsApp along with an end-to-end experience can make the lives of millions of Jio customers more convenient.
Marne: Akash and Isha, thanks. It was lovely chatting with you. Very exciting change is happening in India right now, and we are grateful to have you and to partner with Jio so closely. Like you, we believe we are at a turning point in India’s growth, and I can’t help but appreciate its potential to help more businesses grow and create greater social and economic opportunities across the country. I can be inspired. Thank you so much for joining us today. I wish you the very best.
Isha and Akash Thanks Marne. It has been an absolute pleasure.
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