Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a country-wide lockdown for 21 days to curb the spread of the coronavirus outbreak. This extended lockdown has got citizens scuffling for groceries, and hunting for online resources to stock up on essentials and prepare for the next three weeks. While the government asserts that essential goods will be available during the lockdown, the situation with e-commerce deliveries is less than ideal. Flipkart has completely suspended operations, and Grofers app displays a vague “We`ll be back shortly” on its homepage.

Ever since the PM Modi`s Janta Curfew address to the nation last week, people have been facing issues with online shopping, and in even getting food items delivered to their addresses. We reported that several apps like Amazon, Grofers, and Big Basket have all been showing products as out of stock or undeliverable, and there`s constant unavailability of delivery slots.

Amazon

Customers who have already placed an order for non-essential products are now being informed of delayed delivery.

“Thank you for placing an order on Amazon. There is increased demand for high priority products as customers stay home to comply with social distancing. Additionally, several local and regional lockdowns are impacting our capability to deliver in time. This has resulted in longer than usual time to deliver your order. We request your patience as our team is working on serving customers in these challenging times,” an email from the e-retailer reads.

The company is trying hard to enable essential goods delivery seamlessly. Amit Agarwal, Global Senior VP and Country Head for Amazon India "Our top priority has to be to flatten the curve. Thanks to the central govt for recognizing e-commerce is rendering an essential service to help citizens remain at home, maintain social distancing. We sincerely appeal to local authorities to enable us provide sustained service."

Flipkart

The e-commerce giant has suspended its services entirely. Its homepage now reads:

"We are temporarily suspending our services. Your needs have always been our priority, and our promise is that we will be back to serve you, as soon as possible. These are difficult times, times like no other! Never before, have communities stayed apart to stay safe! Never before, has being at home meant helping the nation! We urge you to Stay Home to Stay Safe! We will get there. And we will get through. Together."

For all customers who have already placed the order, and are awaiting deliveries.

Big Basket

The online grocery store has also halted operations for now. The message on its app reads, "Dear customer, we are not operational due to restrictions imposed by local authorities on the movement of goods in spite of clear guidelines provided by central authorities to enable essential services. We are working with the authorities to be back soon."

Big Bazaar

As for Big Bazaar, it is offering doorstep delivery in several cities across India, and has shared numbers of nearby retail stores for customers to place orders via phone calls. The store will then deliver these goods at the customer`s residence, and take cash for the delivery. Big Bazaar doesn`t offer an app or site for ordering, but doorstep delivery is still an option for those who are unsuccessful in finding essential items elsewhere.