Online shopping makes inroads in Kashmir
Huge demand spurs courier business
For someone like Mir Shafi, who loves to shop, online shopping has proved to be a blessing.
A regular online shopper, Sumaiya believes it is much better to buy online and get the choicest products delivered at doorsteps rather than go for the often laborious traditional shopping.
“Online you have variety of choices and moreover you receive your product at home and can pay cash on delivery,” she said.In last few years, e-shopping has gained popularity in Kashmir valley especially among youngsters with wide range of products available at attractive prices.
The boom in online shopping has also boosted courier business, creating job opportunities for thousands of unemployed youth in the Valley.
Another frequent online buyer, Irfan Bhat said convenience of shopping is the biggest benefit of placing orders online. “You can order anything from anywhere. Nowadays all e-commerce brands have their own mobile apps so that makes it much easier,” Bhat said.
Owing to the huge demand, some courier and packaging companies have established outlets in Srinagar exclusively for delivering consignments ordered through online shopping.
In-charge of one of the leading courier company, Gojavas, Yasir Maqbool Wani said its monthly turnaround is around Rs 80 lakh with around 50 people employed currently.
Gojavas, which has been in the business for last three years, have collaboration with all the leading online shopping brands including Snapdeal, Flipkart and Jabong.
Wani said over the past two years, online shopping has gained a vast traction in the valley.
“It is convenient and customers get good discounts. A jacket whose market rate is Rs 5000 is available only at the price of Rs 2500 online,” Wani said.
The online shopping has also provided employment opportunities to many jobless youth in the valley. Wani said Rs 7500 is the basic salary that they pay to their employees. “Apart from that we also provide transport allowance and insurance cover to them,” he added.
In charge of courier company E-com Express, Bilal Ahmad said in two years the company has employed 220 people from 20 employees in the beginning.
“Online shopping has become a big business sector in the valley. Every day we are receiving more than 200 orders. People especially youth are turning in large number to e-shopping,” Bilal said.
President, Kashmir Courier Association, Zahoor Qari said due to online shopping the courier business is witnessing fillip in business.
“Introduction of online shopping in Kashmir has proved to be a boost to courier companies that were lately not doing well,” Qari said.
He said currently there are 20 courier companies working here and each company employees 12 to 60 people.
“On average the courier companies must be making around Rs 50,000 per month on delivery charges,” Qari said.
He said Kashmir valley receives approximately 400 shipments ordered by online shoppers each day. “Most deliveries include electronic items like mobiles, cameras, laptops and garments. 40-60 mobiles alone get delivered each day,” Qari said.
According to Boston Consultancy Group digital influence study 2013-14, online shopping is expected to rise to 14 per cent by 2016 from 6 per cent in 2013. It also said already 25 per cent of travel and tourism-related sales are digitally driven in India currently.
An Online Shopping survey 2014 by MasterCard, India with 62.9 per cent is the second country after China in Asia pacific to make online purchases using their cell phones.
India also ranked second with 81.2 per cent of respondents accessing the internet for online shopping while China leads with 86.6 per cent.
Even though, online shopping might be the convenient way for customers but the ongoing trend has led a worrisome future for the local shopkeepers in the valley.
Many shopkeepers said since the inception of online shopping they are witnessing a certain slump in their business.
“It has made an impact in the market. Today, people are keener to order online their product rather than visiting a shop. It is slowly taking over our market and I am afraid that in future it can have serious repercussions on our business,” KTMF president Yasin Khan said.
Khan said seeing the trend of E-commerce, shopkeepers too have to offer a similar kind of service to compete in the market. “With a changing trend, we too have to adopt the situation to keep the business alive. Otherwise, we will be left behind.”
However, online shopping has also some negative aspects; many customers complained that at times companies fool them by giving false information about the product.
“In winter I ordered a leather jacket online but it turned out to be a made of rexine. So, when I returned it and ask for refund, I was told that the money can’t be returned and I have to buy something else in exchange,” said Owais Iqbal.
“Many a times, the clothes or shoes may not fit correctly and a shopper has to go through a lot of impediment to get a replacement done,” said another online customer.
