The key thing that people need to be aware of is that Amazon is still not allowed to sell anything in India. They are exclusively a marketplace because the Indian govt does not allow foreign investment into e-commerce.<p>Instead for now they are an intermediary. The end customer pays Amazon the money who passes it onto the actual seller (after taking some commission). Amazon might even handle the logistics for some sellers. But the transaction is between the marketplace seller and the customer.<p>Until Amazon is granted approval to become a seller on their own right, their impact on Indian e-commerce will be much more limited than it would be otherwise.
I think the key to successful ecommerce model in India is hybrid of online and offline experiences. I had the following idea floating in my mind for long time now . Let me know if it makes sense<p>a) You franchise out "ecommerce" physical shops. This is a physical location where customer can come in surf ecommerce websites and place an order.<p>b) There is someone at this shop who will collect money on behalf of ecommerce websites. This could be cash credit debit whatever. Make these shops available at every nukad (every street). Hell give other shop owners these ecommerce terminals (just like sim card selling process or prepaid minutes fulfillment process) .<p>c) The packages are shipped to this shop or your home. Since these shops are conveniently located, near train stations, in airports, malls, picking up packages is not an hassle.<p>d) serve complimentary hot tea while people are shopping.<p>The actual order is fulfilled at an warehouse just like amazon.
As a Canadian, let me just let you know you're going to have to wait a few years for it to stop sucking. Amazon Canada was a joke for most of its existence, and had only gotten close to the American offerings in breadth and pricing in the last year or two.
Interestingly amazon is in the backseat here and it will be interesting to see how they succeed. From my understanding <a href="http://www.flipkart.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flipkart.com/</a> is the dominant player in the online shopping marketing in India
Its good to see that amazon has price similar to similar competing website, which is mostly $2-$5, rather than US standard price $10-$14. Compare the price of bestselling books in flipkart and amazon.in from <a href="http://www.flipkart.com/view-books/l327/" rel="nofollow">http://www.flipkart.com/view-books/l327/</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.in/gp/bestsellers/books/" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.in/gp/bestsellers/books/</a>
Used to work in International Dev for a ecom company, and India was a serious target. We ended up going elsewhere because of delivery infrastructure and local competitors, that free delivery is going to be a huge advantage.
I'm visiting India currently from the States and the biggest hurdle to launching delivery sort of services here must have been effecively locating homes.<p>Addresses that most "western" countries consider expected (ex. 1 Apple Loop, City, State Zip) don't exist here. Companies literally print on ads "On ____ Road, near ____ Terminal behind ______ City, State".<p>If Amazon somehow figured this out for India delivery - they'll do great.<p>Lastly, a 30 day return policy (or any return policy) is unheard of here. Electronics, clothes, anything I bought here strictly said no returns no matter what (even if defective).
Interesting that the IP address resolves to their datacenter in Ireland. I would have assumed either Singapore or Tokyo. Is there any reason that a continental connection is preferable to an.. aquatic one?
Great to see a good selection of Hindi novels, wish they were available for Kindle though. (Don't think the e-ink Kindles can even render Hindi though)
They plan to manage delivery too: <a href="http://www.nextbigwhat.com/amazon-india-courier-service-297/" rel="nofollow">http://www.nextbigwhat.com/amazon-india-courier-service-297/</a>
It's the beginning so I wouldn't say "the inventory disappoints me" outright. But it does. It's not a garage startup's inventory for haven's sake.<p>Two friends have started a sort of startup for books and movies and their inventory is comparable, though with a shitty interface for which I have shamed them many times.