As India’s festive season approaches, businesses are poised for a surge in online shopping. An Ipsos study indicates that 89% of shoppers are excited for the festivities this year, with 71% planning to shop online. Spanning months from Durga Puja to Diwali and culminating with Christmas and New Year, this period is critical for the retail industry. According to Datum Intelligence, merchandise worth $12 billion is expected to be shipped, marking a 23% increase from last year's $9.7 billion.
However, the festive season brings challenges alongside opportunities. A survey by Myntra reveals that 55% of online shoppers experienced delivery delays during major festive sales like Diwali. With high transaction volumes, shipping demands, and the necessity for seamless customer experiences, e-commerce brands must navigate logistical bottlenecks, payment processing issues, and website overloads.
Fortunately, several innovative platforms are stepping up to assist brands in overcoming these challenges. Below are five key platforms helping Indian businesses thrive during the festive season.
- Shiprocket: Streamlining Shipping and Delivery
Shiprocket, a tech-enabled logistics platform, is crucial for e-commerce businesses managing the festive rush. Covering over 29,000 pin codes in India, Shiprocket ensures timely deliveries even during peak demand. The platform offers automated shipping solutions, real-time tracking, and cost-effective delivery options, enabling businesses to scale operations without delays. - Marmeto: Enhancing E-commerce Experiences
As Shopify’s first plus partner in India, Marmeto helps brands prepare their e-commerce websites for increased traffic during the festive season. By upgrading platforms with custom payment gateways, dynamic product listings, and inventory management systems, Marmeto has assisted industry leaders in significantly improving sales and reducing checkout delays. - Razorpay: Secure and Smooth Payment Processing
Razorpay provides a comprehensive solution for payment processing during the festive season. With support for various payment methods, including credit cards, UPI, and wallets, Razorpay ensures businesses can efficiently handle transactions, preventing lost sales due to payment issues. Its "Smart Collect" feature simplifies operations during peak times. - Delhivery: Powering End-to-End Supply Chain Solutions
Delhivery offers complete logistics solutions, from warehousing to last-mile delivery, ensuring businesses can manage the surge in orders during the festive period. With technology-driven real-time tracking and automated warehousing, Delhivery allows brands to scale operations effectively while maintaining customer trust through timely deliveries. - MoEngage: Optimising Customer Engagement
Customer engagement is crucial during the festive shopping frenzy. MoEngage helps businesses create personalised campaigns to connect with customers through tailored push notifications, in-app messages, and emails. Its AI-powered insights allow brands to engage users effectively, ensuring they remain competitive during this busy season.
Conclusion: Preparing for Festive Success
The festive season in India presents opportunities for increased consumer spending, but businesses must be equipped to manage the surge. Platforms like Shiprocket, Marmeto, Razorpay, Delhivery, and MoEngage are essential for optimising operations, streamlining logistics, enhancing website performance, and engaging customers effectively. For retailers aiming to succeed during this critical time, partnering with these platforms is not just advisable but essential.