Snapdeal integrates offline, online retail in new platform
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Indian online marketplace Snapdeal has launched an omnichannel platform that integrates its offline and online retail channels. It offers customers the convenience of online discovery and ordering along with faster hyper-local fulfilment and is expected to power an ecosystem of leading brands, large format retailers (LFRs), small businesses and technology start-ups.
The first categories to go live on the Janus omnichannel platform will be mobile phones in partnership with The Mobile Store (TMS), automobile tyres with Michelin, inverters and batteries in partnership with Luminous and fashion products with Shoppers Stop.
“This platform will blur the lines between offline and online retail, demonstrating that both channels can act as gateways to each other,” said Kunal Bahl, Co-founder and CEO, Snapdeal.
Snapdeal said various studies have shown that consumers switch between online and offline before making purchase decisions. For one, 77 percent of consumers browse in stores before making a purchase online and 55 percent consumers conduct on-the-go mobile research before making a purchase in-store.
In certain categories of products like mobile phones, majority customers follow up their online purchase with a visit to the store for accessing related services like data transfer, screen protection etc.
These trends clearly indicate a need to create channels for customers to seamlessly access the benefits of both online and offline to create a delightful buying experience.
Customers buying their phones on Snapdeal will have the option to pick up or get their phone delivered from the nearest TMS store within two hours of ordering. TMS trained agents will also help set up and demonstrate phone features in addition to offering services like sim resizing, data transfer, screen guard installation, all in the comfort of the buyer’s home. Customers will also be able to access these services at the nearest store if they chose the pickup option. These services will be available across 70 cities in India.
“We look forward to scaling up this ecosystem by leaps and bounds in the coming months with more like-minded partners,” said Tony Navin, Senior Vice President, Partnerships and strategic initiatives.
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific product categories will first be available on Snapdeal's new platform?
Which specific product categories will first be available on Snapdeal's new platform?
The platform will initially feature mobile phones with The Mobile Store, automobile tyres with Michelin, inverters and batteries with Luminous, and fashion products with Shoppers Stop.
Q.What services will customers receive when purchasing mobile phones through this integrated system?
What services will customers receive when purchasing mobile phones through this integrated system?
Customers can pick up or have phones delivered within two hours, and trained agents will help set up, demonstrate features, and offer services like data transfer or screen protection at home or in-store.
Q.How many cities in India will initially have access to the mobile phone services offered through the platform?
How many cities in India will initially have access to the mobile phone services offered through the platform?
The mobile phone services, including pick-up, delivery, and agent assistance, will be available to customers across 70 cities throughout India.
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