Retailing in India is not just about only offline model or online, there is a huge gap between the two models that e-tailers are trying bridge by going hybrid- a combination of online & offline retailing. Handful of online portals like Firstcry, HealthKart, FabFurnish have taken their business offline as well, adopting the hybrid model to their retail strategy and there are many, going in the opposite direction setting up online stores.
As online retailing expands on the back of customer incentives and product discounts, brick and mortar chain stores as Isha Silks, Belgaum are reworking their Internet strategies to compete with e-tailers.
A Crisil Research report estimates that online retailing will become a Rs 50,000-crore industry by 2016.
IshaSilks, a Belgaum based retail store whose into the business of textiles since ages have now gone online with their website [www.ishasilks.com] designed by a Belgaum based Dotcord.
Speaking to AAB, Sachin Heda of Isha Silks, said “In the time to come the hybrid model of online and offiline will co-exist and we should be in a position to tap into this market. With huge estimates for online e-taling in the future maybe we are late but we have a great chance to get our exclusive products to a wider audience.”
“This could be the First e-commerce portal from Belgaum which is live and the initial response has been very encouraging” Sachin added.