KOCHI: In a bid to tap the growing online shopping market, traditional jewellers and home appliance retailers in south India are embracing the online selling model.
In Kerala, home appliances retailers such as Alapatt Global, Pittappillil, QRS, Gopu Nandilath Group and Bismi have established dedicated wings for online sales.
Jewellers such as Bhima, Malabar Gold, Kalyan Jewellers and Joy Alukkas are the other biggies establishing online sales in line with the changing consumer behaviour. The latest in the segment is the acquisition of jewellery e-commerce platform Candere by Kalyan Jewellers.
“In our e-commerce portal, we offer all payment options, including online banking, card payments, and cash-on-delivery. Delivery of above five kg consignments will be totally free. Soon, we will be spreading our model across Kerala and in phases, into other south Indian states as well,” said Jose Alapatt, chairman, House of Alapatt group. The group is also a gold and diamond retailer in the state.
According to Rajesh Kalyanaraman, executive director of Kalyan Jewellers, the online jewellery market, though nascent, has the potential to become a huge market going forward as customers are ready to leave more footfalls in the digital space.
According to industry estimates, Kerala’ s contribution towards the national e-commerce basket is pegged at 2.5-3 per cent. In value terms it will be around Rs 2,500-3,000 crore. It makes Kerala an attractive online market with rapid growth.