Flipkart, an e-commerce marketplace owned by Walmart, has opened its first grocery fulfilment centre in Ludhiana, Punjab.

Occupying more than 80,000ft² of space, the centre will offer a diverse range of regional products across several categories, including beverages, confectionery, household supplies, personal care, local products, snacks and tea.

The facility has a dispatch capacity of more than 100,000 units per day. It will serve more than 600 PIN codes across several cities and towns, including Ambala, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Mandi, Jalandhar and Shimla.

Flipkart said the centre will generate nearly 800 direct and indirect job opportunities.

In line with the company’s focus on diversity and inclusion (D&I), nearly 40% workforce of the Ludhiana Centre will be comprised of women, differently abled and LGBTQ personnel.

The facility will also strengthen Flipkart’s supply chain network and facilitate doorstep delivery of groceries across Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, as well as Jammu and Kashmir.

Flipkart Group chief corporate affairs officer Rajneesh Kumar said: “Flipkart investment in Punjab is a testament to our commitment to strengthen digital and physical infrastructure. This will enable local small businesses to become part of Digital India and access larger markets while bringing choice and convenience to consumers.

“The launch of our first-ever grocery fulfilment centre in Punjab will expand market reach for MSMEs, sellers, farmers and Farmer Producer Organisations but also create new jobs and enhance livelihood opportunities.

“As a home-grown company, we are committed to delivering a seamless shopping experience, coupled with accessibility, convenience and conscious efforts towards creating a positive impact on local economies.”