Delhi-based Ecommerce portal ShopClues has launched a new hyperlocal feature called Neighbourhood Market on its mobile app which will allow local merchants to connect with customers. The feature will allow llocalized sellers to showcase their products to buyers near them across mobile and web platforms. ShopClues says that it is targeting a reduced delivery time of four hours with this feature. The company also claims that it will provide customers best prices, speedier complaint resolution and quicker return protocol. An Economic Times report said that the programme was piloted around two weeks ago with 20-25 merchants in Delhi, and is expected to be rolled out to localities with high concentrations of merchants in Tier 1 and 2 cities by the end of the month. Merchants have the option to deliver themselves, make use of hyperlocal delivery startups that ShopClues has partnered with, or let customers pick up goods instore. Customers can pay either by cash or by card. The ecommerce venture claims to offer more than 19 million products from around 200,000 sellers across the country and has over 2 million daily visitors. Earlier in January, the company raised $100 million investment led by Tiger Global with participation from existing investors Helion Venture Partners and Nexus Venture Partners. Competition With this move, it looks like ShopClues is now competing with the likes of JustDial. The online directory service in January began selling electronics and white goods and started operating as a marketplace. JustDial's service aggregates neighborhood electronics shops which sell mobile phones, television sets, digital cameras, air conditioners, refrigerators,…
