Unicommerce, Yellow Messenger partner to enable FMCG cos to sell via WhatsApp chatbots

Bengaluru based cognitive engagement cloud platform Yellow Messenger and Snpadeal owned Unicommerce,  a software-as-a-service platform focussed on the ecommerce sector, have entered into a partnership to provide solutions to the fast-moving consumer goods and consumer packaged goods industry in India.

As a part of the partnership, Yellow Messenger’s conversational artificial intelligence (AI) will allow consumers to place orders directly via WhatsApp chatbots.

Orders received by the chatbots and multiple sales channels will be managed on a centralised platform built by Unicommerce.  The Unicommerce platform will also consist of a consolidated dashboard, which will allow brands and retailers to check orders, shipping status, sales and other aspects of their business.

“With this collaboration, we aim to enable retailers with a centralized platform to view and manage their inventory and orders efficiently,” Kapil Makhija, CEO, Unicommerce said in a statement.

While the direct ordering through WhatsApp will help consumers save time, the centralized platform at the backend will help companies streamline operations and deliver products in an efficient manner, the release said.

Read: With 350 mn shoppers, Indian e-retail to grow at 30% CAGR over five years: Study

Founded in 2012, Unicommerce was acquired by Snapdeal in May 2015 and currently serves over 10,000 customers in India, Middle East, South East Asia and South Asia.

“A new age, yet proven technology like conversational commerce can become a tactic and strategy both, to enable digital commerce over the long run, all from a single platform,” Raghu Ravinutala, CEO and co-founder and Yellow Messenger said.

Yellow Messenger currently provides its AI-powered WhatsApp chatbots to over 200 global enterprises for consumer engagement and purchasing.  The company claims to be handling over 20% of India’s e-commerce values on a daily basis.

Yellow Messenger recently raised $20 million in a Series B funding round from the Menlo Park, California headquartered venture capital firm, Lightspeed.