Uber is now experimenting with prepaid-item pickup from nearby retailers in India

Uber has discreetly begun testing a function in India that allows gig workers to collect prepaid products from nearby retailers and deliver them to consumers.

The option named “Store Pickup” was first introduced in several U.S. locations in December and has now been extended to Delhi-NCR, as reported first. Customers may request pickups and deliveries using the Uber app and monitor them in real-time, similar to tracking trips.

Uber’s Store Pickup service may see competition from Indian platforms such as Dunzo, Rapido, and Swiggy, which provide comparable services enabling consumers to have their products collected from nearby retailers. However, the most recent release introduces an additional option. Uber seems to see commercial potential in transporting goods from nearby retailers in India, similar to its operations in the United States. This functionality also assists Uber in integrating the app more deeply into consumers’ daily routines.

However, the Store Pickup service has some limits. The item arranged for pickup at the local store must weigh five kilograms (11 lbs) or less. The item should be priced at a maximum of 5,000 Indian rupees ($60) and may be obtained without the need for identity evidence or the credit/debit card used for the purchase. Users are prohibited from having alcohol, medicine, narcotics, guns, or other hazardous or illegal things delivered.

Uber refused to provide a response.

Uber mandates that clients provide specific pickup information, such as the local shop’s name and location, along with directions for the driver, specifying whether the item has to be collected from a customer service area. Customers may provide proof of purchase and include an order confirmation number to assist drivers in completing the pickup properly.

Uber provides consumers with the option to use its Connect service to deliver items in addition to store pickup. The Store Pickup tool is designed for coordinating delivery from nearby retailers.

Uber implemented Store Pickup in 1,700 U.S. cities and towns last year, including Austin, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Orange County, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Francisco, and Tampa Bay. The firm also had a same-day local delivery service named UberRUSH in some areas; however, it was terminated in 2018.