Indian food tech unicorn Swiggy has started its new grocery business called Handpicked. It launched a pilot service in Bengaluru, The Economic Times ( ET) reported. 

Handpicked will deliver the listed products the next day, unlike Swiggy's quick commerce platform Instamart. Both operations also share different teams. 

A spokesperson, aware of the development, told ET, “The idea is to build a 'Nature's Basket' in the cloud,” a source said. “These products are hard to find in local stores or on e-commerce channels.”

“Swiggy Handpicked, an invite-only offering from Swiggy, helps customers discover and purchase unique and interesting groceries ranging from global favourites to regional delights and local legends that are not easily accessible. Handpicked is currently under pilot with select users,” he added.

According to an ET report, Handpicked will sell either locally-made or imported premium products. For instance, it has listed Coca-Cola's Cherry Cola– a product, available in the US markets. Additionally, the e-commerce wing has included Kombucha-- a product made by local start-ups in Bengaluru and Gujarat's Methi Khakhra. 

Recently, Swiggy bought Dineout–a platform, where customers can get discounts in restaurants by paying through the application. The brand was earlier owned by Times Group. 

A few days ago, the food tech unicorn announced its plans to lay off nearly 250 employees. 

“We concluded our performance cycle in October and have announced ratings and promotions at all levels. As with every cycle, we expect exits based on performance,” it said to ET.