by India’s fashion industry is undergoing a major transformation as ecommerce platforms are revolutionizing how fashion is consumed in the country. With increasing internet and smartphone penetration coupled with attractive discounts and offers, fashion ecommerce has seen tremendous growth over the past few years and is emerging as a key driver of the overall fashion retail market in India. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the major trends shaping fashion ecommerce in India.
Growth of Online Fashion Shopping
Powered by significant investments and new entrants, India Fashion Ecommerce sector has exploded in size over the past 5 years. According to estimates, the fashion category currently accounts for over 35% of all ecommerce sales in India and is projected to reach $45 billion in sales by 2025. The widespread popularity of smartphones and cheap data plans have made online shopping accessible even in tier 2 and 3 cities. Brands are responding by launching exclusive fashion-focused web and mobile platforms that offer contemporary styles at competitive prices. The pandemic has further accelerated this shift as safety concerns pushed more consumers towards digital-first shopping experiences.
Rise of D2C Brands
Burgeoning demand has also sparked the growth of numerous direct-to-consumer (D2C) fashion brands that are competing by offering personalized, affordable and trendy products. Unlike traditional retailers, these agile D2C brands connect directly with customers through their online storefronts and social media presences. By cutting out middlemen, D2C brands are able to price products competitively and use data insights to double down on what’s selling. Homegrown D2C labels like Bewakoof, ELLADE, LimeRoad etc. are now household names in the young urban fashion space with new ones cropping up regularly. Their market share continues rising thanks to excellent customer experience and consistent product innovation.
Personalization and Customization
Consumers today expect hyper-personalized experiences from brands. Leading fashion ecommerce platforms are responding by letting shoppers customize everything from designs, fit, fabric to pricing. Customization enables customers to truly reflect their individual styles. Sites allow mixing & matching of styles, fabrics, prints and silhouettes to design made-to-order outfits of their choosing. Others let users order one-of-a-kind prints made from their photos. This personal touch along with affordability is resonating hugely with India’s young tech-savvy population and driving repeat purchases.
Changing Demographics
What was once an urban phenomenon is spreading deeper into India thanks to affordable smartphones and data. Tier 2 cities now account for over 35% of all online fashion sales compared to just 15% a few years ago. Even small towns are fast emerging as key markets as infrastructure improves. This has pushed fashion ecommerce platforms as well as D2C brands to reach customers across India through localized language interfaces, contextual styling solutions, simplified delivery options and flexible payment methods. Targeting the next half billion potential users will remain a priority to sustain the breakneck growth rates.
Use of AI and Analytics
Data analytics capabilities underpin the success of fashion ecommerce. Platforms deploy artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze customer shopping behaviors, preferences and trends. This allows personalizing product suggestions, running targeted promotions, optimizing inventory and assisting virtual stylists. AI also powers fit recommendations and personalized stylist assistance. Analytics help spot best selling styles, colors and silhouettes regionally so inventory can be better managed. Going forward, advanced analytics will be leveraged even more to develop hyper-personalized virtual shopping experiences mirroring real stores.
Challenges Ahead
While highly promising, India’s fashion ecommerce still faces challenges around high return rates and difficulties in determining perfect fit without a trial. This results in frequent reshipments adding to costs. Limited designer collections and size variations also remain impediments, especially in tier 2/3 areas. Dependence on global sourcing raises risks from supply chain issues. Maintaining consistent customer experience quality across a large, divergent population is another critical task. Strategic partnerships with offline stores could help address issues like integrated delivery-returns and augmented reality-based virtual trials. If such challenges are effectively tackled, fashion ecommerce is poised to transform India’s retail landscape for the better.
Overall, backed by a huge demographic dividend and rapid technology penetration, fashion ecommerce in India has enormous potential for continued growth. While navigating the usual hurdles of a developing market, innovative brands and platforms are helping redefine how fashion is experienced and consumed through personalized digital experiences. If current momentum sustains, India’s fashion ecommerce sector looks set to achieve its lofty targets and establish the country as a global leader in this new digital-first retail era.
*Note:
- Source: CoherentMI, Public sources, Desk research
- We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
