Virtual Window Shopping – The Changing Shopping Scenario !!! What makes Indian customers get so glued to online market place ?

These days it’s a matter of pride to have a box of Amazon or Flipkart or Snapdeal getting delivered at your office. Dude it’s so cool, your sneakers are awesome and you got a fantabulous offer. Didn’t you come across such feedback from your fellow work-mates?

It’s also a cool statement to make that you have got it online than you picked it from any retail outlets. Is this trend just a bubble to be burst soon or this trend to remain here for long??? Focusing on the competitive advantage than the overall valuation games would make these companies more effective in the long run.

When asked a friend at my native place (small time town in Kerala) about his shopping habits, he is so gung-ho about the whole online shopping experience, as otherwise he will have to go the nearest city, which is nearly 60-100 kms away, to purchase branded products. With faster and easier payment options, dynamic delivery mechanism, hassle-free payment gateways, credit facilities, EMIs etc, the online splurge is going to get a boost for sure.

Below factors are the differentiators, where Online Market Place can be a long term sensation than just a short term trend…

Product Gallery – with endless possibilities of options and more options you will certainly end up buying it online. Clothes and accessories segment is a valid eg for the numerous amount of choices to be selected from. Even any of the retail giants or the respective brand's showroom cannot even provide such vast inventory to display.

Realistic Offers – “Everyone loses in a pricewar” is just a clichéd statement and a passé. With no retailers involved and direct supplying from the warehouses, online marketplace can definitely put up a better offer that you cannot refuse.

Product Reviews – We live in world where word of mouth plays a major role in our buying behaviour. Third party reviews, seller ratings etc would make more sense than any salesman’s pitch.

Return Policy – 30 days return policy is what makes everyone to shop liberally in the online world. You can try different products infront of whomsoever you would want to and get the feedback, if not liked, you can still return. So cool, isn’t it ????

No Sales Pressure – Dot we all feel that it’s good that the sales people don’t bother us much and we should get all freedom to choose the products. In the online space we have the time and freedom to explore and also the freedom to choose with no external pressure at all. And who doesn’t love window shopping.

Exclusivity – Many mobile handsets manufacturer brands only believe in exclusivity. You won’t be able to find those models elsewhere, during and after the launch. This exclusive tie-up is indeed a great strategy where you can assure guaranteed and loyal customers for future.

Unknown brands (International Products) – Many global brands, better and cheaper products etc can be availed online which otherwise will take eons of time to get launched in India. One such segment is Fitness Bands. In most cases these brands don’t even have offices in India. Online platforms opens a window to the world of shopping opportunities for all.

Many would oppose me and would still prefer the touch and feel method of buying things. But the style of “Look and Buy” is the future as our preferred medium is shifting to online. The average time spent on mobile phones are going up day by day. Myntra is already an App only platform; even Flipkart is contemplating to go complete App only, as their 80-90% sales happen through mobile touches than mouse clicks. That’s indeed a big decision to make…

Online space is not just new gen. To expand they should also find ways and means to tap and educate the older generation as well. Strategies should be in the anvil to please the aggrieved customers, face and sort the destructive social media feedback. Make customers the king and they will be with you forever.

Shopping is online, slowly eating will also be online…. That space is also evolving. It won’t take much time to even Celebration can go online….

Shop, Eat & Celebrate !!!!