Flipkart, Myntra taking no chances with 'Big Billion Day'

Company promises that this year the whole process would be hassle free and seamless

Online retailers are expecting up to a 10-fold rise in traffic during Diwali season sales. It is estimated that consumers could spend at least Rs 39,000 crore, thrice as much as last year, on buying clothes and other gifts online.

Last year, Flipkart faced a lot of flak for technical glitches and price discrepancies; it had issued an apology. This time, it has promised to exceed customer expectations on its 'Big Billion Day' sale. In recent months, it has expanded delivery operations staffers to 16,000 and fulfillment centres from 13 to 17. Going app-only with its Big Billion Day sale, which includes sister concern Myntra, the company promises a hassle-free process this year.

“We have also ramped up our technology and supply chain support, to ensure all our 50 million customers have the best-ever mobile shopping experience,” said Mukesh Bansal, head of its commerce platform Flipkart says it has got in 40,000 sellers across categories and also conducted training programmes for the latter to avoid last year's mistakes. “We understand that online selling among many sellers is a new phenomenon and it is only through proper training and guidance that they will be able to handle (this) efficiently during unpredictably high demand,” said Manish Maheshwari , Vice-President. “Last year, there was a problem with inventory. While people were giving orders, the inventory was just not there. This year, we are taking special caution and giving sellers guidance and training on inventory management."

Myntra expects a 10-time rise in traffic during the Big Billion Day sale, resulting in a revenue jump of three to four times, said Ananth Narayanan, chief executive officer. The fashion online retailer is also expecting a three to four times increase in the number of users during the period. Currently, it has six million customers.

“We are also bringing in more people to meet the supply chain and call centre services demand on a contract basis for the five-day sale. We have also tied up with hyperlocal players for the last-mile delivery,” said Narayanan. Amazon is also holding a five-day sale from Tuesday to Saturday to take on Flipkart. Snapdeal is running an Electronics Monday Sale.

Nearly 40 per cent of consumer spending on clothes and goods in India takes place between September and December, the festival season that includes Dussehra and Diwali.