E-retailers: e-commerce sales in India 2017
Amazon versus Flipkart
Bangalore based e-commerce company Flipkart was established in 2007. Initially offering book sales, it has expanded, like its American competitor, to include electronics, consumer goods, and lifestyle products. Having held nearly 40 percent of the e-tail market in fiscal year 2017, the Indian company went on to acquire Myntra and Jabong, both online apparel sellers. The peak of competition has been measured by far during Deepavali sales. Flipkart and Amazon dominated with 20 million online shoppers in the last two festival seasons, accounting for most of the estimated three-billion-dollar gross merchandise value.
Changing lifestyles, increasing convenience
With increasing urbanization and a growing digital population, city lifestyles are becoming less and less conducive to being able to shop physically – for lack of time, energy and convenience. A staggering growth in the country’s digital payments sector acts as a catalyst for carrying out activities online. This in large part includes online shopping, especially in the Indian context with its cultural myriad of festivals and the need for gifting. It comes as no surprise that the Indian startup market, specifically its digital sector, is well funded, giving the economy one unicorn after another.