E-tailers to support growth of small, medium firms

MUMBAI, INDIA - World Trade Centre Mumbai and All India Association of Industries (AIAI) organized an interactive panel discussion on ‘Branding: Embracing the E-tailing Era’ on February 11, 2016 to deliberate on the opportunities and challenges in the Indian e-tailing industry which witnessed phenomenal growth in recent years.

Shri. Moize Hussain Ali, Deputy Director General & State Informatics Officer, National Informatics Centre, Government of India, delivered keynote address at this event. Mr. Ali remarked that e-tailing sector promises to revolutionise the business model of small and medium enterprises in every district and village in India. The sector is growing at an annual rate of over 35% and its size is expected to reach $30 billion in three years from the present level of $15 billion. Availability of smart digital devices, internet penetration, skilled manpower are growth drivers in this sector.

Mr. Abhimanyu Radhakrishnan from Networked India moderated the panel session.

Speaking at this occasion, Mr. Amit Thapliyal, Head, Marketing & Digital Initiatives, Vinculum Group pointed out that there is a huge growth opportunity for third party logistics providers in the B2C segment of e-commerce. The marketplace model has tremendously enhanced the consumer reach of small and medium enterprises.

Another speaker Mr. Soumya Banerjee, Senior Vice President - Product Management Digital, Infibeam.com, emphasized the need for e-commerce companies to distinguish themselves from their competitors by communicating the unique selling proposition and brand image of their products and services through proper online channels. Companies must select the right product and target the right category of consumers to compete successfully in the online space.

Mr. Chirag Arya, Co-Founder, iChef.in, suggested that e-tailing companies must identify unmet consumer needs and exploit them by creating an innovative, cost-effective business model.

Mr. Apurva Mankad, Founder & CEO, WebXpress, pointed out the growth opportunities provided by tier 2, tier 3 and tier 4 towns in India for e-commerce companies. There is huge entrepreneurship opportunity in the logistics industry which is valued around $120 billion in India presently. In the next 10 years, the industry would offer job opportunity to around 5 lakh delivery boys or biker boys. Going forward, e-commerce companies must partner with logistics companies to create a robust supply chain in the industry, Mr. Mankad explained.

Earlier in his welcome address, Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, World Trade Centre Mumbai remarked that India has made a great start in the e-tailing or electronic retailing sector. The e-tailing companies support micro small and medium enterprises by eliminating middlemen, enhancing customer reach and promoting brand image.

PHOTO (L-R): Capt. Somesh Batra, Vice Chairman, World Trade Centre Mumbai (extreme left) felicitating Guest of Honour Shri. Moize Hussain Ali, Deputy Director General & State Informatics Officer, National Informatics Centre, Government of India, at the moderated panel discussion on "Branding: Embracing the E-tailing Era" at World Trade Centre Mumbai. Ms. Rupa Naik, Director - Projects, World Trade Centre Mumbai is also seen.

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