How ONDC can transform Malls

On a rainy Sunday, as I ventured out to the mall to for some clothes, I realized that some of my favourite brands were not available on Amazon or any other marketplace. It struck me as odd that there wasn't a single mall with a comprehensive digital presence where customers could browse products from all their tenants and conveniently make online purchases - especially on rainy days like this. Malls possess a distinct advantage—they can offer same-day delivery within their catchments from their tenants’ inventory, unlike most marketplaces that often deliver products only the next day or later from a Fulfillment center.

?Unlocking the Potential with ONDC:

Creating a digital platform where every retailer can showcase their inventory across multiple malls may seem like an arduous task for retailers. It would require retailers to navigate through a labyrinth of IT challenges, painstakingly integrating?their inventory with?each mall. However, enter the game-changing solution: ONDC.

Malls hold the key to this transformation. Their role is establishing digital storefronts, facilitating payment mechanisms, and setting up seller panels for their tenants. They can even take charge of managing deliveries, or alternatively, facilitate partnering with reliable delivery services right there on ONDC. Retailers, on the other hand, need to connect their store inventories, providing product descriptions, images, prices, and other collateral all of which are facilitated by the ONDC platform.

The beauty of ONDC lies in its ability to simplify integrations for retailers. Once connected to the platform, they no longer have to go through the tedious process of connecting their Order Management Systems for each individual mall they are present in. All that is required is for malls & their tenants to adopt the ONDC protocols, simplifying the integration process across the board.

?Addressing Concerns

Naturally, there may be some initial hesitations from retailers regarding the availability of their inventory outside their own systems. However, since many retailers operate on a revenue-sharing model with their landlords, they already disclose transaction-specific sales data. Moreover, smaller tenants with limited bargaining power often rely on the mall's existing billing systems. Hence, the concerns surrounding data sharing can be effectively addressed with some flexibility shown by both parties.

?For retailers accustomed to legacy systems built for physical stores, adapting to the digital realm can be daunting. Complicated promotional strategies need to be overhauled to cater to digital customers who are more familiar with coupons and cashbacks. Simplifying and aligning promotions with the expectations of digital shoppers is vital for success in this new era of retail.

?With the advent of ONDC and the collaborative efforts of malls and retailers, the retail landscape is poised for a dramatic transformation. India has an advantage that no other country has in the form of ONDC. The integration of digital storefronts, streamlined inventory management, and efficient delivery systems promises to revolutionize the way we shop. By embracing this paradigm shift and catering to the evolving needs of customers, malls and retailers can seize the infinite opportunities presented by the digital age.

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