Kishore Biyani’s Future Group is planning to launch an e-commerce platform in October, reports Business Standard. Biyani said they are currently running an e-commerce pilot in Akola, Amravati and Bhilwara and they would be launching it in a phased manner starting with the electronics category in October and followed by sports. While the focus will be predominantly on non-perishable products, the company plans to also sell perishable products like fruits, vegetables and meat in select cities. Europe-based Hybris Technology is apparently developing the portal. It's currently not clear whether this will be a B2B e-commerce venture or a B2C e-commerce venture, although there are indications that this will possibly be a B2B venture. Biyani mentions that Hong Kong firm Li & Fung will be taking care of supply chain management for the e-commerce venture. Note that Li & Fung already has a joint venture with the Future Group for a wholesale cash-and-carry business. It had also invested $30 million for a 26% stake in Future Group's logistics venture Future Supply Chains back in 2009. Earlier this month, Walmart India had also launched its B2B e-commerce store Best Price Modern Wholesale for the registered members of Best Price Modern Wholesale stores in Hyderabad and Lucknow. What about FutureBazaar.com? Remember that Future Group already had a B2C e-commerce store in the form of FutureBazaar.com, which was one of the dominant e-commerce player in the Indian market between 2008 and 2010. In fact, in December 2010, the Future Group was targeting 10% of retail sales from its digital platforms. This was when FutureBazaar.com was re-launched following a period of consolidation of…
