INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
an incredible journey of making an Amazon in India, for India
We are truly just getting started
With a young and vibrant population, rising income levels, and increasing penetration of the internet and social media, the future is
added.
Since 2013, when its India e-commerce operations first started, Amazon has invested over $6.5 billion.
Amazon launched its first
shopping website in India on June 5, 2013, and only sold books then
It had just about 100 sellers in a small warehouse in Mumbai
for builders in the India team began a few years before the actual launch date for Amazon.in was even decided
markets) in 2009 about plans to launch Amazon in India
came back from Seattle as we were inspired by the idea of digitising India and making a difference to lives in the very country we grew up
it slightly, and make it work
this popular electronics store in Mumbai to bring them on Amazon.in
These Chai Carts travelled over 15,000 km and engaged over 10,000 small businesses along the way.
The company said that its easy returns
and refunds soon became an industry standard
It also launched an India-specific lite application that allowed customers to shop even on low-cost phones and patchy networks
Then came shopping in their preferred language.
Starting with one fulfillment centre in 2013, the firm built a nationwide infrastructure
and tied up with organisations like India Post and the Indian Railways
It also collaborated with kirana stores to create an effective delivery network across the country.
In 2019, Amazon became the first
e-commerce company in India to partner Indian Railways for the movement of packages across the country
India Post did, but they were set up differently
the firm created a warehouse-management system that converted seller locations into mini Amazon fulfillment centres.
Somareddy also said
the firm launched Local Shops on Amazon in 2020 to bring local retailers online for customers
enabling customers to get free and fast deliveries and a host of other benefits, including Prime Video
Since 2016, Amazon Pay is also simplifying digital payments for customers and small businesses.
Amazon is in a fierce battle with rivals
by 2030.
However, Amazon has also been facing various challenges in the country
For instance, trade bodies such as the Confederation of All India Traders and Delhi Vyapar Mahasangh perceive Amazon and Walmart-owned
Flipkart as a threat to local retailers and have taken the matter to various courts.
They had alleged preferential treatment to sellers in
Last year the investigative arm of the Competition Commission of India reportedly carried out search-and-seizure operations at multiple
premises linked to two sellers of Amazon.com, Inc, in connection with an investigation launched against e-commerce players over preferential
$3.4-billion deal with Reliance Industries
that Reliance is best placed to lead India's $150-billion e-commerce market in the long run, ahead of Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart
due to its extensive retail network, digital capabilities, and Jio mobile services.
There has also been an impact of global macroeconomic
Amazon is reportedly laying off employees in India across different functions and businesses including human resources, support functions
and Amazon Web Services.
The downsizing round is part of the layoffs announcement made in March by Jassy, which was expected to impact
The cuts are on top of the previously announced layoffs that began in November and extended into January.
Early this year Amazon started
notifying its employees affected by its new round of layoffs, as part of its plan to reduce its headcount by around 18,000 people.
Last
year in November, Amazon India decided to shut down Amazon Distribution, according to sources
This followed its recent decision to shut down its food delivery and edtech offerings.
