E-commerce a study  – Breaking the E Commerce Myths

E Commerce Myths:

• Myth #1: I was under the impression, 3Cs (Cell Phones, Computers, Camera and their Accessories) are the best online selling stuff as I personally have not bought anything else online.
• Myth #2: It is easy to sell Books as I find all the stores I have visited sells them.
• Myth #3: Why the hell one will buy Lingerie online? No body ever will.
• Myth #4: Why will someone buy a dress online when they can go to the store and try them before buying it?
• Myth #5: Niche/Luxury Items can not survive in e-stores as people wants to have a feel before they pour this cash for niche and luxury items.
• Myth #6: The website name should be relevant to what they do.

  THE NUMBER GAME

  
  

  TYPES AND CATEGORIES

  
  

  WHAT THEY SELL

  
  

  THE TOP GUNS – ALEXA INDIA RANKS

  
   

  SOME QUIRKY STORE NAMES

  
  

 

Real data referal

IMPORTANT TRENDS

1. Brands are moving online with their own stores: Examples: NokiaShop, Puma, Reebook, Samsung, Fastrack, VIP etc
2. Fashion is No 1: Top 3 Categories all belong to Fashion, with more than 130 stores (big and small) selling some or the other fashion products. Apart from this 91 stores deal exclusively in Fashion.
3. Rise of Online Exclusive labels: Example: Zovi, Shersingh etc.
4. Lingerie is Big: Over 39 stores sell Lingerie and Innerwear and some prominent names even using Lingerie as hooks on FB ads!
5. Online stores of major offline players: Example: Futurebazaar, Cromaretail, The Mobile Store, Univercell etc
6. Media Publishing Houses foray in ecommerce: Example: Homeshop18, BagitToday, Indiatimes Shopping,  StarCJ etc
7. Ecommerce Platforms gaining traction. Example: BuildaBazaar and Martjack.
8. Popular (deal) sites pivoting to e-tailing: Example: Snapdeal, Koovs, SeventyMM, KyaZoonga etc

SOME INTERESTING STORES

Differentiation is the new motto in Indian ecommerce. The way some are doing it is simply picking a Niche.  In our research, we ran into about 90 niche stores that sold nothing but one thing. Some deserve a special mention.

1. SocialHeart.in: Exclusive handicrafts made by NGOs.
2. YellowLeg.com: The Travel Only Book store.
3. Bewakoof.com: Cool Tshirts with great ribtickling one liners.
4. Bajaao.com: Musical Instruments and Select Albums
5. Induna.com: Great collection of Movies, Films and TV serials
6. WilliamPenn.net: Pens from popular bands such as Faber Castell, Parker etc.
7. OnlinePrasad.com: Pooja items and temple offerings from popular temples.
8. GiftBig.com: Gift Vouchers from top retailers.
9. BulbTiger.com: Indoor lighting fittings and chandeliers.