The job of a delivery person has always been tough but the pandemic made it even more challenging. With so many livelihoods being disrupted, the profile, skills required to operate in an ‘After Covid’ world and the opportunities for Delivery personnel is also undergoing a shift. Many organizations have taken this challenge head on and converted it into opportunities which have resulted in safeguarding many livelihoods while providing services to consumers so a win-win-win for all.
This article highlights some of the evolving roles that can provide employment or entrepreneurship opportunities for the delivery personnel in both urban and rural context.
Urban Eco-systems
Delivery Partners for National Players in multiple sectors. The pandemic resulted in huge employment opportunities for delivery personnel with e-commerce players like Amazon, FlipKart, etc; FMCG and Food & Grocery Retailers like BigBasket, Grofers, etc; Online Food ordering chains like Zomato, Swiggy, etc.; e-pharmacies like 1mg, Netmed, etc.
Delivery Partners are required for Business-to-Business and Consumer-to-Consumer models where they play a key part in the Logistics supply chain in companies like Delhivery.
Local & Hyperlocal models like Swiggy, Instamart, JioMart, HESA, Dunzo, etc. are another avenue for employment for delivery personnel.
MSMEs can be amply supported by providing the delivery services at multiple points from procuring raw materials to delivering final goods.
Delivery Partners for delivering range of items for the entire family and business – Services like Swiggy Genie and Uber Connect now offer doorstep pick up and drop off facilities by a single delivery person for items as varied as lunchboxes and office documents to food deliveries, groceries, medicines, books or even wines.
This integration is showing us how a singular profile of restaurant delivery person or a driver can hold multiple sub profiles. It is ensuring sustained livelihood for these jobs, easing customer pain-points and drawing synergies between multiple businesses.
Deliver Partners for Door Step Retailing
With customers preferring online over instore purchases, many high street outlets are bringing their retail stores to the doorstep of the customers. Brands like Levis, Forever New, Puma, etc. have started retail stores on wheels where the personnel visit customer homes with a wide portfolio of their products.
Delivery Partners as Transport providers for healthcare workers and others providing essential services is a win-win at both ends.
Delivery Entrepreneurs in Metros
An individual can earn a sustainable income with zero additional investment through programs like Delhivery’s LMA (Last Mile Agent) which offer pick up and drop services. A two-wheeler, valid driving license and an android mobile phone are all that a partner needs for enrollment.
“Through these trying times, over the last five months LabourNet has been partnering companies like ApolloMed, BigBasket, etc. for their people requirement and has ensured employment of over 1000 delivery partners” – Rajesh A R, CEO – LabourNet Services India Pvt. Ltd
Rural Eco-systems
Delivery Partners for Indian Postal Service – Thanks to their nation-wide outreach, the postal service goes beyond delivering letters and packages. It is also a bank, a pension fund and a primary savings instrument for millions of Indians and hence offers ample opportunities for delivery personnel.
Delivery Partners to Transport and Deliver Medical supplies & Other Equipment required to Set up and Run eClinics – Scope is to reach 75% of the population that lives in rural India. For the same, Delivery partners can explore tie-ups with Telemedicine players like DocOnline who also have extended services like eClinics. Chemist shops and district hospitals can become other hubs for livelihood generation.
Transport Partners to Support the Agricultural Economy by being the critical link in the farm supply chain and leveraging platforms provided by organizations like AgroStar.
Delivery Entrepreneurs for Distributing Products and Services to Rural Customers like the ‘Saral Jeevan Sahelis’ of Frontier Markets. These rural women entrepreneurs use the platform provided by Frontier Markets and help their communities get door step access to world class products and services – ranging from FMCG products, solar lighting, home appliances & smartphones to Digital, Financial & Educational Services. This is a win-win-win for the Sahelis, the communities and the companies aiming for last mile reach.
“Sahelis have been the perfect bridge to understanding the rural customer, and helping companies see value in investing in rural markets. Our hybrid approach to access has allowed us to think beyond logistics as a solution to drive income opportunities, but also provide insights thereby helping companies design, deliver and increase their product and service portfolio for rural customers” – Ajaita Shah, Founder & CEO – Frontier Markets
This article incorporates inputs from LabourNet, Frontier Markets, Sattva & LagomWorks.
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