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Not Flipkart, but Amazon may be market leader this season
For the past two festive seasons, e-commerce firm Flipkart has been the market leader in terms of revenue. But this year, that might change. Amazon has already sold more products than Flipkart in July and August, and the trend might continue.
For the past two festive seasons, e-commerce firm Flipkart has been the market leader in terms of revenue. But this year, that might change. Amazon has already sold more products than Flipkart in July and August, and the trend might continue.
There is much at stake for e-commerce firms, with an Assocham survey saying online sales this festival season will be worth ₹25,000 crore.
Amazon is targeting almost every segment to increase market share, adding 150,000 products every day. It now offers 80 million products, three times more than last year. It has introduced private labels – Amazon Basics, Solimo kitchenware and men’s fashion brand Symbol.
Flipkart, too, claims to have 80 million products in its selection, and owns two fashion companies – Myntra and Jabong. Snapdeal on Sunday said two million users logged on to its portal in the first hour of sale.
Meanwhile, Amazon has also tied up with other firms. For instance, it offers discounts on a DTH if you buy a television. If you buy a smartphone, you get 10GB data for the price of 1GB.
“In 2015, the festival season sales were worth four times that of 2014 … we have a great opportunity in every category ... and we have a wide range of local products, combined with faster delivery,” said Manish Tiwary, V-P, category management at Amazon India.
Amazon aims to fulfil 50% more orders this festive season as compared to last year. The firm has also introduced exchange offers and signed up with HDFC for a 20% cashback offer, and partnered with Bajaj Finance for easy instalments, but the process is not fully online. “We are trying to improve that,” said Tiwary.
Also, like in the US, Amazon Prime members will get exclusive access to deals 30 minutes before others. There is something on offer for office-goers also with app users getting special deals between 9pm and 12 am.
