Coimbatore gets online grocery store

"It's an online 'maligai kadai'," says Sriram Prasad who launched Get Marche in Coimbatore. "As online shopping for clothes and electronic items has caught on with youngsters, I thought, why not give an option to people to buy even groceries online.

Thus, Get Marche was born. Though buying groceries online is common abroad, the concept is new to the people of Coimbatore," he said.

Sriram, who also runs a software firm, said the online store is aimed at reducing the hassles of working women. "Working women find it difficult to buy groceries, visiting shops and carrying them home.

Our online store has come as a boon for such women. Soon, cut vegetables will also be put up for sale on our website. The freshness of the vegetables will be maintained as they will be cut only on receiving orders. They will be delivered within two hours," he said.

The website features up to 4,000 products under different categories like food, health, beauty and hair products, baby care, cooking and home needs and groceries. Get Marche has already set foot in Madurai.

"Among women's products, napkins are sold in large numbers. In fact, women who shy away from buying napkins by visiting shops, order for them through our website," he said.

"We have entered into agreements with established brands to sell their products online. Our prices will be up to 25 per cent less than in shops. As we avoid middlemen, we manage to sell products at a very competitive price. We also pack our products in an eco-friendly manner using cardboard paper bags and avoid polythene covers," he said.

The firm offers free home delivery for all purchases above '500 within the city limits. Orders placed before evening will be delivered the same day and, thereafter, it will be delivered the next day.