Finally Amazon entered into Indian online retailing space by launching “Amazon Marketplace”, today the company’s brand website Amazon.in went live and for now the website is offering books, movies and television shows. Customers can buy more than 7 million print books across 200-plus categories including fiction, management, children’s books and academic publications, whereas the movies and television shows categories include over 12,000 titles in English and Hindi across DVD, Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D and video CD formats.
For a limited time period Amazon is offering free delivery on orders fulfilled by it, but will eventually be priced at Rs 49, and the shipping will be free only for products over Rs 499. Payment methods includes, Debit & Credit card payments as well as net-banking.Cash on delivery is available only when goods are Fulfilled by Amazon, but it charges a convenience fee of Rs 39 in case of returns.
Also Amazon promised that very soon the Indian portal will offer cameras, mobiles and other categories of products.However there is no word from the company whether kindle products and ebooks will be available through this site in the future. With launch of Amazon.in,India became the tenth country globally to have an Amazon marketplace.
Although through Marketplace Amazon doesn’t sell the products directly, as it has comply with Indian government rules.Indian government in march parliament session approved Foreign direct investment(FDI) more than 51 % in multi brand retail companies, but it does not allow companies with foreign direct investment in Online retailing in any form. However, Amazon received a FDI approval for setting up a logistics business in India.
So through Amazon.in, the company offers sales and order fulfillment services to Indian retailers. A fulfillment center has already been set up in Bhiwand on the outskirts of Mumbai and another center will be set up in Gurgaon.
I’m glad to see a credible competitor for Flipkart,ebay and snapdeal. I expect the indian portal of Amazon offers lower price than its competitors and provides exciting deals. However, I think the Indian online retailing space will be more exciting once the FDI restrictions are lifted.
Take look on the infographic about Amazon Indian marketplace
