Holi Festival 2024 | Image: Deep AI
As Holi approaches, urban buyers from metros and tier-2 cities are looking for deals and last-minute needs on online platforms.
Just like quick commerce players like Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy Instamart deliver festive products through dedicated counters, e-commerce platform Amazon will also deliver Gulal, Pichkaris and Holi festival sweets on the same day.
With the quick commerce trend taking convenience and commerce to the next level, e-commerce players Amazon and Flipkart are eyeing a slice of the profit pie.
In 2023, India's Quick commerce market records year-on-year growth at 77 percent According to a report by Redseer, the gross merchandise value will reach $2.8 billion.
In comparison, e-commerce is growing at $14-15. percent YoY comparison.
While Flipkart recently announced its foray into quick commerce, Amazon too has partnered with local stores for same-day delivery on Holi.
commerce and color
As part of the Local Shops on Amazon program, the platform will carry out same-day delivery on over 3,500 Holi-themed products, ensuring the vibrant celebrations reach your doorstep.
Customers in Delhi can shop from 39,000 stores located in prestigious areas such as Chandani Chowk, Uttam Nagar and Lakshmi Nagar.
Amazon said it partnered with 30 sellers for this effort last year, but that number has grown to 200.
Abhishek Jain, Head of Local Shops, Amazon India, said: In about two years, the program has been rolled out to over 39,000 local offline stores in Delhi. These companies have registered as sellers on Amazon.in and earn money by selling on the online marketplace. ”
The impact this program has had on the state highlights how digital enablement can help bring hundreds of thousands of offline retailers, microentrepreneurs, and other small businesses online and contribute to the digital economy. He added that
The company is focused on bringing more offline retailers online, accelerating business by providing access to a larger customer base, and providing the impetus to build strong brands with its Shop Local initiative. I'm leaving it there.
Holi, the festival of colors, is celebrated during India's spring season around March every year.
The festival, which signifies faith and the victory of good over evil, involves the burning of Holika, Prahalad's evil aunt, who was a devotee of Lord Vishnu.
The next day is celebrated with colors (gural), water guns and water balloons, as well as classic sweets such as gujiya.
local leverage
Deepak Shukla, a second-generation shop owner who sells Puja essentials and festive items such as rakhis, diyas and other decorations in Delhi's Sadar Bazaar, has seen a 20-30 per cent increase in sales thanks to the local store initiative. He said he did.
“Typically, our sales spike during busy seasons, so we expect a three-fold increase during Holi,” he said, adding that manufacturing, packaging, and managing operations during the busy season will help fulfill orders. It added that it has hired more than 2,500 female employees.
Same-day delivery convenience introduced by Zomato-backed Blinkit, Swiggy's Instamart and unicorn Zepto has also created commerce opportunities for local businesses and these platforms alike.
A customer tells X about an order for a Gujiya mold that was placed on Blinkit after the Gujiya mold that belonged to his mother broke.
Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart have dedicated Holi stores on their apps that sell skincare needs specific to the Holi festival, such as gulaals, water guns, t-shirts, ingredients to make the classic delicacy gujiya, oils and sunscreen. In addition, everything necessary for worship is provided.
