Online Shoppers

E-commerce major Flipkart on Friday introduced a Zero Commission Model for all products priced below Rs 1,000. The new model also extends to Flipkart's hypervalue platform Shopsy, where zero commission now applies to all products irrespective of price, according to a company statement. "Under this updated structure, all eligible sellers listing products below Rs 1,000 will not be charged a commission fee. This initiative is aimed at supporting MSMEs, helping them improve customer affordability while managing the cost of doing business more efficiently. "The zero commission model is now extended to all products on Shopsy, irrespective of price, further solidifying its position as a key enabler for sellers targeting the hypervalue segment and enhancing affordability for customers," Flipkart said, adding that the move could reduce the cost of doing business by up to 30 per cent for sellers. Senior Vice President and Head of Marketplace at Flipkart, Sakait Chaudhary, said the MSME sec

India's online shopping habits are becoming less reliant on festive periods, although mobiles and electronics continue to dominate the September-October sales spike, according to a study by consulting firm Redseer. The country's online retail sector is gradually moving towards a more balanced, year-round demand curve. However, categories like mobiles and electronics remain highly reliant on the annual festive surge, making them the riskiest to manage operationally, the report said. "India's online retail landscape is evolving towards a more balanced demand curve, but Mobiles and Electronics still dictate the rhythm of the festive season. "Mobiles have the most dramatic swing, with a Seasonality Index Difference of 1.7. Electronics follows closely with a difference of 1.3. Both peak sharply in September-October, with Mobiles reaching a monthly index close to 2.3 and Electronics nearing 2.0. This heavy reliance on the festive season confirms their demand is highly concentrated," Redse

The planned GST changes have prompted some e-shoppers to postpone purchase decisions in hopes of lower taxes on certain products like consumer goods and electronics, say analysts, while emphasising that the blip is only temporary and sales are set to rebound as clarity improves and festive fervour takes hold. Goods and services are currently charged under a four-tier system with rates ranging from 5 per cent to 28 per cent. GST reform, proposed by the Centre, says that most goods will be charged at either 5 per cent or 18 per cent. Durables such as washing machines, air conditioners and refrigerators will be among the goods charged lower rates under the new GST regime. The GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister and comprising ministers from all states and UTs, will meet on September 3 and 4 to discuss the reform. As the industry prepares for the rollout of GST 2.0, the e-commerce sector is witnessing a noticeable shift in consumer behaviour, particularly around high-value .

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According to the report, shopping frequency has increased across channels, with more frequent visits to both modern trade and online platforms

Data from Simpl's Checkout Scan shows a remarkable 60 per cent increase in total payment volumes for orders placed between 10 pm and 4 am over the past year

Social commerce is poised for dynamic growth, with some estimating a 10-fold rise by 2030, but building digital trust and inspiring consumer confidence around product authenticity is what will set the cash registers ringing for brands and founders as online shoppers eagerly browse, purchase and checkout directly from social media apps, say experts. The coming together of e-commerce and social media to create a new business channel, social commerce is increasingly gaining traction in the retail space. Consumers discover and purchase goods and services directly through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube among others. "Social commerce is expected to grow 10x by 2030 to a USD 55 Billion market in India. It is particularly strong in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with a focus on affordable products, particularly in the fashion and home improvement space," said Anand Ramanathan, Partner, Consumer Industry Leader, Consulting, Deloitte India. Director of Influencer Conte

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The lack of discounts and special offers in physical stores, along with large crowds in malls during weekends are some of the reasons why urban dwellers prefer to shop online

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With an eye on 15-20 million non-GST registered sellers, SoftBank-backed Meesho has opened up its platform to onboard them for selling products online, the company said on Tuesday. The GST Council in July exempted small businesses making intra-state supplies through e-commerce platforms from taking GST registration if their turnover is below Rs 40 lakh in case of goods and Rs 20 lakh in case of services. The rule kicked in from October 1. "The platform has made significant technological adaptations which will enable non-GST sellers to start selling on the platform from October 1, 2023. This move will potentially unlock 15-20 million sellers historically under-penetrated states for the company," Meesho said in a statement. The company claims to have 1.4 million sellers on its platform. Meesho said it recognizes the unique characteristics of non-GST registered sellers, such as their high motivation and locally relevant selection from categories like fashion, consumer electronics and

The report by Wunderman Thompson suggested that Indian consumers expect their deliveries to arrive in less than two hours

86% of consumers rely on influencers' or publishers' reviews to make their purchase decisions. Notably, males appear to follow influencers more diligently (90%) than females (80%)

Tier-II cities, including Guwahati, Coimbatore and Lucknow amongst others, lead in terms of time spent on online shopping