Once upon a time, there was nothing like online shopping in India. I mean during the time of Nokia 1100, who could’ve thought about e-commerce becoming a multi-billion dollar industry. Things got pace with Flipkart.com and since then online shopping in India has not turned back.
With an internet user base of about 250.2 million as of June 2014 and a $400 billion industry to tap, India is the hottest destination for online retailers.Lets have a look on the timeline of Giants emergence in the Industry.
1. Indiatimes Shopping (2000)
Launched in year 200o, under pretegious Times Group, it operated as a marketplace model, like eBay, with sellers being allowed to sell directly on the website under their name and warranty. online shopping started here at a big level. A taste of online shopping was served here. Elegant and powerful till date.
2. Ebay.in(2005)
Launched in year 2005. This multi billion dollar company made its debut through Baazee.com and understood the potential of Indian online market.
3. Infibeam.com(2007)
Launched in year 2007, it now collects a whooping revenue of 10 billion rupees. This online portal was first in its league. The best part is that its founder sold all his asset just to start this company with no external venture capital funding.
4. Flipkart.com(2007)
Launched in year 2007, because of it, Amazon is now fighting its own employee built rival company. Flipkart.com is the dragon of online shopping in India.
5. Myntra.com(2007)source
It was launched in year 2007 now merged with Flipkart.com to fight Amazon.in, Myntra have a brilliant tap over the customers who love fashion & variety.
6. Inkfruit.com(2007)
A ‘hatke’ site, launched in 2007 focused on trend and redefining style. It later merged with Zovi.com to compete harder with the fast growing competition in Indian Retail market.
7. Homeshop18.com(2008)
Again a 2008 product Homeshop18 has grown from Television to laptop. This portal is a unique experience in itself. The deals are so lavishing that you cant take you eyes off them. It was launched 6 years ago a a 24X7 T.V. channel selling products through Anchors. Later in 2011 it was launched as a website.
8. Snapdeal.com(2010)
Four years ago with four square growth, started as a deal and coupon site, Snapdeal soon switched to became an ecommerce portal to harnessing the power of online retailing. And now it stands as a multimillion company regulating tides of online retailing.
9. Jabong.com(2012)
It has been 2 years since its inception but the brilliant service and amazing understanding of customer needs have turned this online shopping portal into a nuclear of e-retailing in India. It majorly focus on Tier-II & Tier-III cities.
10. Amazon.in(2013)
Came in 2003 and plunged a $2 billion investment to crush the competition and grow. This is in fact the spice of worlds largest online retailer fighting in India for its dominance.
There are hundreds of other ecommerce websites in India but we have tried to assemble the game changers of the Industry. Feel free to suggest us in case of any change you think this timeline must have.