Thaindian News

New Delhi, May 3 (IANS) Forget stepping out in the heat and purchasing the season’s best mangoes! Buy them sitting in the comfort of your home through home shopping channel HomeShop18, which has introduced the facility of delivering fresh fruit across 3,000 cities and towns in India.

The first fruit to go on sale on the channel is the mango.

“In our effort to reach out to mango lovers directly, we are delighted to introduce Alphonso mangoes as we enter the market for selling fresh fruits. With this venture of ours we aim to take the industry (home shopping) to the next level,” Sundeep Malhotra, CEO, HomeShop18, said in a press statement.

Alphonso, one of the best known varieties of the fruit, is relished for its colour, fragrance and distinct taste. According to the channel, each mango available through it, is handpicked from the orchards of Devgarh, Ratnagiri, and checked for status of ripeness, smell and skin colour.

Talking about the need for retailing fresh fruit through TV, he added: “Advances in the areas of fresh fruit sales are opening up the avenues for many niche market segments, and HomeShop18 sees a potential high growth area here, thus this new business initiative. Recognising the evolving needs of our consumers, we have expanded our product portfolios and operations across the country.”

The Alphonsos will be available in a pack of six for Rs.435, and a pack of 12 which will cost Rs.750. If customers are not satisfied with the quality, the mangoes can be returned as they come with a freshness guarantee.

The mangoes can be ordered either through the 24-hour channel or its website www.homeshop18.com.