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Tag: reseller

  • Amazon Boosts Indian Market Presence: Cuts Reseller Referral Fees to Propel Small Business Growth

    Amazon Boosts Indian Market Presence: Cuts Reseller Referral Fees to Propel Small Business Growth

    In a bid to strengthen its foothold in India’s highly competitive e-commerce sector, Amazon recently announced that it will cease to charge sellers referral fees for products priced under 1,000 rupees, or US$10.98. This decision, revealed by the company on Monday, is part of an ongoing initiative to attract a broader range of merchants to its online marketplace.

    Enhancing the ‘Zero-Referral Fee’ Policy

    Amazon is building upon its ‘zero-referral fee’ policy that was introduced last year. Initially, this policy was applicable only to about 12 million products that were priced below 300 rupees. However, the implementation of this policy led to a remarkable 50% increase in the number of new sellers joining Amazon’s platform in India.

    A referral fee is essentially a commission that sellers have to pay to Amazon for each product sold through its platform. The newly extended policy, which came into effect on March 16, now applies to more than 125 million products.

    Along with this, Amazon has also announced a reduction in certain shipping charges, making it even more cost-effective for sellers to use their platform.

    Amit Nanda, the director of Selling Partner Services for Amazon India, stated that this move was aimed at “making selling on Amazon more lucrative and simpler, particularly for small businesses and entrepreneurs in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.”

    Amazon’s Crucial Market: India

    India has become an increasingly important market for Amazon due to its expanding base of internet users, which has significantly fueled e-commerce growth in the world’s most populous country.

    However, the e-commerce giant faces stiff competition not just from Walmart-backed Flipkart and the retail division of Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, but also from quick-commerce platforms such as Eternal’s Blinkit and Swiggy’s Instamart, which have been rapidly gaining market share.

    Amazon revealed plans in December to invest more than $35 billion in India by 2030. The investment will not only be used to expand its AI infrastructure, but also to enhance retail logistics and boost small-business growth.

    Questions & Answers

    What does Amazon’s new decision entail?
    Amazon has decided to stop charging sellers in India referral fees for products priced under 1,000 rupees. It has also reduced certain shipping charges.

    What is the goal behind Amazon’s decision?
    This decision is aimed at attracting more merchants to Amazon’s online marketplace in India, making the platform more lucrative and simpler, especially for small businesses and entrepreneurs in tier-2 and tier-3 cities.

    How does Amazon plan on investing in India’s e-commerce sector?
    Amazon has revealed plans to invest more than $35 billion in India by 2030. The funds will be used to expand its AI infrastructure, improve retail logistics, and boost the growth of small businesses.

  • Indian Apple Reseller Ample Announces Ambitious Growth Plan, Aims For 35% Revenue Surge By 2026

    Indian Apple Reseller Ample Announces Ambitious Growth Plan, Aims For 35% Revenue Surge By 2026

    Ample, an Indian reseller of Apple products, has outlined ambitious growth plans aimed at achieving a 35 percent surge in revenue by the fiscal year 2026, according to the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

    Expanding Footprint and Brand Portfolio

    Based in Bengaluru, Ample supplies a variety of tech products, including Apple computers, to a large and diverse client base of over 1500 entities. Key clients include high-profile names such as SAP, Broadcom, Infosys, and Wipro. Currently, the firm operates more than 120 stores across India, with nearly 50 of these outlets dedicated to Apple products. Other brands, such as Under Armour and Asics, are also showcased in the company’s stores.

    CEO Rajesh Narang revealed plans to increase the company’s footprint to around 175 stores across various brands within the next three years. However, no specific target for the expansion of Apple-only stores was provided.

    Financial Performance and Growth Strategy

    As of the fiscal year that ended on March 31, Ample reported a revenue of 17 billion rupees (equivalent to US$197.33 million). Going forward, the company plans to focus on forging partnerships with global capability centers. These centers are operational hubs that manage various aspects such as operations, finance, and research for large multinational companies.

    Notably, Apple, which itself reported nearly $8 billion in sales in India for the year ending March 2024, operates its own stores in New Delhi and Mumbai. Despite this, Narang believes that Apple’s plans to further expand its presence in India will be beneficial for partners like Ample, as the market tends to expand in line with the brand’s presence.

    Future Plans and Investment Needs

    To fund its ambitious growth strategy, Ample plans to list on stock exchanges within the next five years. “Considering our growth ambition, there will be a requirement for capital,” Narang stated.

    Questions & Answers

    What is Ample’s future growth strategy?
    Ample plans to expand its store footprint to around 175 outlets across various brands within the next three years. The company also intends to forge partnerships with global capability centers to drive growth.

    How will Ample fund its growth plan?
    Ample plans to list on stock exchanges within the next five years to raise the necessary capital to fund its growth strategy.

    What is the anticipated impact of Apple’s expansion in India on Ample’s business?
    Ample’s CEO, Rajesh Narang, believes that Apple’s expansion in India will be beneficial for partners like Ample, as the market often grows in tandem with the brand’s presence.

  • Indian Apple reseller Aptronix expands footprint

    Indian Apple reseller Aptronix expands footprint

    Indian Apple reseller Aptronix has launched six new stores in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

    The firm has opened four locations in Chennai and one each in Coimbatore and Kochi.

    “With these six stores across Chennai,” said company founder Sutinder Singh, “Aptronix will be the largest partner of Apple in Chennai and India. As the largest premium reseller partner of Apple, we are committed to our growth plans and are steadily expanding our path across cities.”

    “We provide easy access for our customers by catering to their diverse Apple product requirements,” said Aptronix director Meghna Singh.

    “Our premium centres will strengthen and boost retail and service networks across the country.”

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