31 July, 2023: What is Amazon India’s ‘I have space’ store? This innovative initiative partners with local businesses to enhance delivery services and boost earning opportunities. Keep reading to learn more!
Amazon India has made a groundbreaking announcement on 28th july about the launch of its very first 'floating space' store situated on the renowned Dal Lake in Srinagar.
This unique store concept, known as 'I Have Space,' is part of Amazon India's dedication to ensuring dependable and convenient delivery services for its customers while also supporting small businesses by creating fresh ways for earning opportunities.
What is Amazon India’s ‘I Have Space’ initiative?
In 2015, Amazon India launched the innovative 'I Have Space' program to assist local stores in expanding their reach. Through this initiative, Amazon collaborates with local store owners, providing them with an opportunity to increase their regular income and attract more customers to their shops.
Currently, over 13,000 local stores in 65 different cities participate in the program. They deliver Amazon products to customers within a 2 to 4-kilometer radius of their stores, contributing to their additional earnings. On average, these store partners handle 20 to 30 package deliveries daily and receive a fixed fee per delivery. Some of these stores also function as pick-up points, receiving deliveries on behalf of customers.
The 'I Have Space' program has a wide coverage, including cities like Amritsar, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Kota, Vadodara, Nasik, and many others, in addition to large metros. It plays a crucial role in managing significant volumes of Amazon Logistics in the cities where it operates and has proven instrumental in supporting sellers to rapidly grow their businesses.
The partnership which made the floating ‘I Have Space’ possible
Murtaza Khan Kashi, the owner of the houseboat 'Selec Town' in Srinagar, has partnered with Amazon as their 'I Have Space' associate. His role is to provide daily package deliveries to customers residing on and around Dal Lake and Nigeen Lake, addressing the challenges they previously faced.
Houseboat- A houseboat is a unique type of boat that serves as a floating home. It is like a house on water, with living spaces, bedrooms, a kitchen, and sometimes even bathrooms.
Before this service, these customers had to use shikaras or rely on nearby shops to collect their packages. Now, with Selec Town's involvement, Murtaza will ensure safe and timely deliveries right to the doorstep of their houseboats.
Karuna Shankar Pande, the Director of Amazon Logistics in India, expressed excitement about this milestone, as it marks the first-ever floating 'I Have Space' store on Dal Lake. This development allows Amazon to offer reliable, efficient, and faster deliveries to customers throughout Srinagar, reaffirming their commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for individuals and enhancing their delivery network with new capabilities.
Murtaza, the owner of a houseboat in Srinagar, shared that his primary business relies on seasonal income from tourists, making it challenging for his family due to high maintenance costs. To address this, he sought additional income opportunities and found Amazon's 'I Have Space' program. This initiative enables local store owners like him to earn extra income by delivering packages to Amazon customers, offering a solution to his financial concerns.
