JioMart bets on kirana onboarding via WhatsApp to counter Amazon, Flipkart in grocery

Reliance's JioMart aims to bring small kirana stores online through a WhatsApp-based ordering loop, leveraging the Facebook tie-up and its 400 million user base. A planned UPI payment layer would help traditional retailers compete with modern trade and e-commerce giants.

— Filed Fri, 17 Jul, 2026, 03:22 IST · Source Financial Express · BrandWagon · Updated

JioMart, Reliance's e-commerce play, aims to onboard kirana stores to help them compete with modern trade and e-commerce. Operations run via WhatsApp link, leveraging the Facebook tie-up, with a UPI payment loop planned.

Why this matters

Extends JioMart's kirana-first push: prior signals show plans to scale kirana e-commerce nationwide via WhatsApp and to challenge Amazon and Flipkart in Indian retail, alongside a quick commerce foray.

Omni-channel remains steady with 1,123 signals over the last 90 days.