Mega Sale: Number of orders jump over 1000%

"Lifestyle witnesses 40 times growth in two day sales"

The ‘Guaranteed Lowest Price’ offer has benefited customers across the country in a great way with maximum customer satisfaction. The five-day long ‘Infibeam Mega Sale’, which started from March 30, 2015, witnessed over 1000% jump in the number of orders in just first two days of its start.

Thanks to the advertisements that appeared in The Economic Times and The Times of India! They made customers aware of the Infibeam Mega Sale. Customers availed great offers that guaranteed the lowest price. When compared, the average daily sales was seven times more than the usual in these two days from March 30 to March 31, 2015.

The Second Day of the Mega Sale, March 31, 2015, despite of being a weekday and the last day of the Fiscal Year 2014-15, witnessed the highest ever sale at Infibeam in one single day in last few years. The day alone witnessed growth of five times in Total Sales and eight times in the number of orders.

Interestingly, there was also rise in the ratio of Cash on Delivery (COD) against non-COD. On the second day of the Mega Sale, almost every second order was COD.

The products are generally sold in three categories - Electronics, Lifestyle and Media. Electronics, is the largest followed by media and Lifestyle. But in these two days of the Mega Sale, to all of ours' surprise, Lifestyle had the maximum growth in demand. Meanwhile, the share of Electronics marginally fell and Media’s share too came down. Lifestyle had witnessed maximum growth in sales.

Lifestyle comprises of fashion, accessories, footwear and other leading products. Interestingly, on the second day of the Mega Sale, the sales under Lifestyle category increased around 30 times. While the Total Sales in these two days increased 40 times when compared with the Average Daily sales under Lifestyle category. The share of Lifestyle in the Total Sales also increased by more than 400% in these two days of the Mega Sale.

Infibeam Mega Sale Advertisement on Times of India

Categories under Electronics include mobile phones, Computer Accessories, Home Appliances, home entertainment and many other products. While Lifestyle includes Toy Games, Watches, Kitchenware and many more. 

With the beginning of new Financial Year, 2015-16, Infibeam is all set to come up with more and more ‘Guaranteed Lowest Price’ offers or Mega Sale. The largest e-commerce technology growing company of India, Infibeam wishes all to have a healthy, wealthy and cost saving Fiscal Year. Infibeam vows to help customers in beating the rising inflation.

1.5 ton AC freezes 80% share of air conditioners' total sales

Split ACs have marginally become expensive

With the onset of early summers, the demand of air conditioners has suddenly increased this year. The demand for ACs have surged tremendously even before the start of the April month. However, the prices, when compared with previous summer, have marginally climbed up by up to 5%, depending on the models.

The statistics generated from the online demand of ACs in previous summers reveal that 1.5 ton ACs including split and window with 2 and 3 star ratings have more than 80% of share in the total sales of ACs in entire summer of 2014. The trend is expected to continue in 2015 as almost every brand is focusing on 1.5 ton.

Last year, the starting range of split AC was around Rs23,000. This year, it has marginally increased by around Rs500 to Rs700. The half ton split AC this year is available for Rs23,700 and above.

Meanwhile, the Window AC and air cooler too have demands, but their share is believed to be less than 20%. This year the air coolers have also become expensive. The entry range last year was around Rs4,700, which has increased by up to 15%. The price of the air coolers this year, is above Rs5,400.

The demand of Window AC is decreasing every year. Few years ago, the share of Window AC was more than 30% while these days it has fallen to 20%, 10% lesser than the previous one. Window ACs have some demand, only because of their affordability. However, the price of Window Acs, due to fall in demand, are almost remained flat as compared to the prices in the summer of 2014. This year, the price of Window AC starts from Rs16,500. 

At Infibeam, almost every AC brands sold in India are available online. The brand names include Amfah, Blue Star, Carrier, Daikin, Godrej, Haier, Hitachi, IFB, LG, Lloyd, Mitashi, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Samsung, Sharp, Voltas and Whirlpool.

Tonnage wise, at Infibeam, ACs with below 1 ton are also available. While with higher capacity it also goes beyond 2 tons and more.  The overall price range of ACs including Window and split is between Rs16,500 and to over Rs92,000.

Compact Cameras With Sub Rs 10,000 Enjoy Over 40% Share

The last decade saw a mass emergence of amateur photographers, thanks to the market that's flooded with affordable cameras with user-friendly image capturing technology. Usually, people want to try their hands on the low priced cameras and once the comfort level rises, they upgrade to the higher versions.

Few years ago, the entry level cameras used to come with 10 mega pixels. Now, the entry segment has got at least 16.1 mega pixels. As and when technology is developed, the price of the cameras reduces. Hence, it is expected that in coming years, the entry level cameras might have almost DSLR kind of features. But that may take some time. Hope that camera makers fulfill our dreams.

In addition, it was seen that in the last one year, the cameras in the price range of Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 were easy to carry and very user-friendly, and enjoyed the highest share in the total sales the cameras. Compact cameras in this price range enjoyed about 40% share of the total sales of cameras.

Usually, in this price range, the cameras have 16 to 20 mega pixels, which varies from brand to brand and features. All major brands offer cameras in this price range.

The Cyber-shot series by Sony is the most popular among compact cameras. It seems, no one can beat Sony in as far as compact cameras are concerned. The second largest compact camera selling brand in India is Nikon. While in DSLR, Nikon and Canon top the chart. However, cameras from Panasonic and Fujifilm also have about a double digit share of the total sales.

Despite mobile phones consuming a large part of camera sales, the demand for compact cameras is increasing and so are their sales. However, only the DSLRs priced Rs. 35,000 and more, are picking up sales in double digits, because they come with special lenses and features. Their price is a tad higher than the affordable ones and so the profit share of DSLR or SLR cameras is below 10% when it comes to online segment.

On the other side, cameras in price range of up to Rs. 5,000 are the second largest in the total sales. This price range has over 30% more shares. Cameras priced at Rs. 4,000 and Rs. 9,999, together have a share of over 70% in the total online sales in the country.

In the subcategory of Rs. 5,000, the cameras have less features. Nonetheless, now even the basic cameras have at least 16.1 mega pixels with 5x optical zoom.

Category-wise, overall compact cameras have a share of over 80%. The second largest category is DSLR, followed by camcorders and mirror-less cameras.

India's e-tail story: Country reads a lot

It seems India read a lot. In top eight cities of India, every second shipment delivered is a book. The category of 'books' has maximum share with average 56% of the total deliveries made in country in 2014. According to Infibeam's report 'Infi E-trend 2014', on consumer behaviour and demand, reveals that in nine big cites of India - Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune - books dominate in e-tail sales. In many of the cities, share of books in the total sale is more than two third.

Book is a category that does not require warranty or guarantee and nor after sale services. Hence, the consumer across country prefers buying books online compared with other e-tail categories.

Guaranteed higher discounts on books, especially the one like autobiography of Sachin Tendulkar 'Playing It My Way', 'I am Malala' and many others have pushed the sales. Both, the fiction and the non-fiction have almost equal share of the total online sale of the books.

After books, 'computer accessories' have slightly higher share than the category of 'mobiles and tablets'. The average sale of computer accessories is little over than 9% and latter has 8%. Mobile and tablets, which contribute over 50% to the total sales value, stands at third position in sales (volume) in 2014. Interestingly, all kind of accessories, including one for computers, mobile and auto mobile have share of about 20% to the total e-tail sales.

The fourth largest category, portable electronics, contributes up to 5%. Auto mobile accessories, home appliances, kitchenware, home furnishing and apparels, together have share of less than 15%. But among these categories, apparels is believed to be the fastest growing category, that too in double digit.

City-wise e-commerce trend with top four categories in each city in 2014

(percentage of the total number of deliveries)

Ahmedabad

• Books - 46%
• Mobiles & Mobile Accessories - 20%
• Computer Accessories - 11%
• Kitchenware and Apparels - 10%

The vibrant city of India, Ahmedabad is odd one out compared to other top cities of Gujarat. Reading tops the chart, but share of books in total number of deliveries is 46%. In mega city of Gujarat, Ahmedabad, mobile and mobile accessories hold about 20% followed by computer accessories with 11%. The erstwhile Manchester of East, the category of apparels has higher share in Ahmedabad compared to other cities of country. Kitchenware and apparels hold about 10% share in total number of deliveries.

Bengaluru

• Books - 54%
• Mobile, tabs & accessories - 12%
• Computer accessories - 9%
• Apparels & kitchenware - 7%

Like national trend, the category 'books' continues to dominate in e-tail space in the IT city of India, Bengaluru. Of the total shipments delivered in the city, 54% is contributed by books. The category of 'mobile & tabs' and 'mobile accessories' together have share of 12%, followed by 'computer accessories', which has 9%. Portable electronics and auto mobile accessories, each, has contributed 5% to the total online sales in Bengaluru. While home furnishing, home appliances and kitchenware, together eat pie of 11% in the city. Apparel has share of 3%.

Chennai

• Books - 49%
• Computer accessories 11%
• Home appliances & home furnishing - 10%
• Auto accessories - 6%

The metro city of Southern India, Chennai too has seen that every second e-commerce buyer loves to read books. Here, the demand for mobile or its accessories does not fall in top four. But, computer accessories is second followed by home appliances and home furnishing. Compared to other top cities of India, the share of auto accessories in Chennai is higher.

Gurgaon

• Books - 63%
• Mobile & mobile accessories - 14%
• Computer accessories - 8%
• Apparels & Kitchenware - 5%

Part of National Capital Region, Gurgaon has somewhat similar e-commerce trends of Delhi. About one third of e-commerce buyers in city prefer buying books online. Books have 63% share in total number of deliveries, followed by mobile and mobile accessories with 14%. The computer accessories has 8% share while apparels and Kitchenware hold 5% share.

Hyderabad

• Books - 46%
• Computers Accessories - 11%
• Kitchenware & home appliances - 11%
• Mobiles & tabs - 7%

Famous for Charminar and also known as Cyberabad, Hyderabad has seen higher demand for computer accessories after books on top. Like other cities, readers top the chart in Hyedrabad too. Here, the number of deliveries of kitchenware and home appliances is higher than mobiles and tabs. The share of number of mobile accessories sold in Hyderabad is comparatively less than other cities.

Kolkata

• Books - 70%
• Mobile & mobile accessories - 9%
• Computer accessories - 8%
• Apparel & home furnishing - 5%

No one can beat the largest city of eastern part of India, Kolkata, in reading books. About 70% of the total number of deliveries in the city is contributed by books. This share is largest compared to all top cities of country. Rest all categories fall in remaining 30%. In the rest, mobile and mobile accessories have 9% followed by computer accessories is 8% and apparel&home furnishing has 5%.

Mumbai

• Books - 68%
• Mobile & mobile accessories - 12%
• Computer Accessories - 6%
• Home appliances, Kitchenware & home furnishing - 6%

The financial capital of country has witnessed books contributing over two third to its total online sale. With share of 68%, books dominate the number of deliveries done through online sale at Infibeam, discloses 'Infi E-trend 2014'. Here, mobiles and tabs are the second largest category with share of 8%, however, value-wise mobile still dominates as the price per item ranges very high. Computer accessories is third largest followed by mobile accessories, portable electronics, auto mobile accessories, kitchenware, home furnishing, home appliances and apparels.

New Delhi

• Books - 65%
• Mobile & mobile accessories - 13%
• Computer accessories - 9%
• Home appliances, Kitchenware & home furnishing - 5%

People of national capital, Delhi, are always struggling with either extreme cold in winters or extreme hot in summers. But their top choice is books. Of the every three e-commerce buyers, two order books. About 65% of total sales in Delhi is with books. Followed by mobile and mobile accessories with 13%. The home appliances, Kitchenware and home furnishing categories have considerable demand in Delhi while computer accessories has higher share with 9%.

Pune

• Books - 47%
• Mobile & mobile accessories - 21%
• Computer accessories - 11%
• Home appliances, home furnishing & Kitchenware - 9%

In one of the IT cities of western India, Pune, books too have little less than 50%. It can be said that almost every second person is ordering book online. And, mobile & mobile accessories are the second largest category delivered in the city. Here, computer accessories is on third position with 11% share while home appliances, home furnishing & Kitchenware have 9% share.

Who can buy what on GOSF!

It has been not even two months after Diwali and consumer is all set to spend more eyeing several new opportunities of buying different products and items with heavy discounts. Starting from apparels, electronics, gadgets, gaming tools and home, all products are offered at heavy discounts at over 420+ brands in over 20 categories at www.gosf.in.

As estimated by different brands and Google, 'Great Online Shopping Festival (GOSF)', starting from 10 December, 2014 is expected to get over millions of hits for three days, untill midnight of 12 December, 2014. Compared to previous two years, the number of transactions is expected to see multi-growth of over 10 times.

By profession he is a doctor but by heart he is a consumer. Dr Kunal Jhaveri from Mumbai is keen and prepared for GOSF to buy so many things before going to a destination wedding scheduled in January 2015. He wants to buy gift for bride and groom, apparels for immediate family attending wedding, a luggage bag and warm wear.

"I have already studied the physical markets and checked the prices of the various brands and product. I am cocksure that I will get what i want at much lower price from GOSF. I am expecting to save up to 30% by buying online," said Jhaveri.

For housewife, Mamta Shah from Ahmedabad, GOSF is a timely event to fulfill her needs. For kids she wants to buy sweaters and jackets. In coming days, she is expecting guests at home and before that she wants to change the curtains, bed sheets and other items. "I have already done alots of shopping in Diwali. But thanks to GOSF, my appetite for shopping has increased. I think it is not shopping but it is one kind of savings," she believes.

It has been six months, the banking professional from Bangaluru, Siddarth Wodiyar is seeking a beautiful affordable house in the city. "For me the most challenging part is to get an affordable house in Bangaluru. I am confident that I will get a best affordable house in the desired destination, only through GOSF. Different options in the 'Real Estate' category is going to help me," he said.

Biker Anshuman Dutta loves to explore new destination across country on his bullet. He is expecting some good automobile accessories and best hotel deals in coming days from GOSF. "As Christmas vacation is just ten days away and I am planning to buy some good decorative stuff for my bike and book some hotel rooms at tourist destination. Only GOSF can help me out at this moment,
" said Dutta.

V-Day Online Shopping Trends In India during Valentine's Day Infographics

This Infographics is a creative from www.infibeam.com. Following the current trends of Valentine's Day through the online retailers across India this infographics came into picture. Infibeam.com is a popular online shopping portal offering different products with different offers round the year. It has a huge fan following on Facebook. With Valentine's Day about to come huge discounts and many Coupon Codes have been launched recently. Valentine's day is the love festival for all lovers across the globe. You will find some great suggestions to buy the perfect gift for your lover. You will also find suggestion to buy the perfect gift depending on the age of your lover. With a difficult and busy schedule life it gets difficult to shop from stores.

So what to shop, for whom to shop and how to decide on a gift are few things covered below. They have also included some reasons as to why people prefer online shopping in spite of everything available in their city. There is a Trivia on Valentine's Day Shopping where 60% of the people spend more than Rs.5000 to buy gifts. Valentine is not a day just for lovers but for married couples too where this day reminds them that love is still in the Air. Stay tuned to know about the gift, flowers, cakes and other things available with great discounts. Have a splendid and most romantic Valentine's Day this 2014.