E-tailing in Awakening India

E-tailing / online selling is not new to globalised world but it has long been the laggard of the Indian Web world. While other web based, search engine, social sites like orkut, Facebook etc are generating revenue. Indeed, India's e-tailers have had a rougher time. One big reason is a huge no, of uneducated people, still 50% of population below poverty line completely dependent on subsidies. Second’ big reason is unavailability of credit cards: It's tough to sell online in a country where few people have them, and those who do are reluctant to use them for fear of fraud. Consumers who actually shop on the Web typically opt for a solution that's both expensive and inconvenient for merchants: paying cash on delivery.

                                                                               But now, business for India's online retailers is picking up. Consumer e-commerce in the country will top $1.3 billion in 2012 and grow at an average of decent % over the next three years, according to the Internet Society of India. As per Statistical Department of India, In recent few years, e-tailers are getting a big boost from dozens of online-payment systems offered by banks and outfits similar to the popular service like (EBaY), Amazon. Fortunately, Country is passing through the golden age with maximum number of youth, unhesitant in using electronic medium / E commerce system for online buying, selling, payments etc.

                                                    However, there are lots of big changes ahead that e-tailers need to be aware of.  In recent time, social media transforms the internet, it’s also transforming the way consumers buy online. Sites like Facebook, orkut and YouTube are raising the bar for engagement and interactivity on the web and smart businesses are growing rapidly their sites to keep up with the evolving expectations of customers. For instance, proof of people’s love of online video can be found in the fact that YouTube is now the third most popular site on the internet, after Google and Facebook. Online stores such as amazon.com, flipkart are tapping into this trend.

I find it amazing, shopping from home/office anytime with my favourite green tea and cakes. But, one need to be careful while shopping online, especially in dealing with credit cards detail.