The Rise of Electronics D2C Brands in India
The rise of direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands in the electronics sector transforms how consumers interact with technology. These electronics D2C brands bypass traditional retail channels, enabling them to connect with customers directly. Recent estimates suggested that the D2C market in India was projected to reach a remarkable USD 66 billion by 2023. This shift has been fuelled by digital advancements, widespread internet access, and enhanced delivery logistics. Additionally, the increasingly tech-savvy millennials and Gen Z consumers are vital in driving demand for D2C electronics. Brands are now creating tailored experiences that resonate with these tech-savvy shoppers, allowing you to shop at your convenience. This blog will explore how this trend reshapes the electronics industry, highlight notable D2C brands, and discuss some factors driving their success. The D2C Model Explained The Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) model allows brands to sell products directly to customers without intermediaries. This approach fosters closer relationships between brands and consumers, enabling companies to gather valuable insights and create tailored shopping experiences. D2C brands focus heavily on digital channels, utilising eCommerce sites and social media to engage with their audience. Any industry can adopt the D2C model, as it allows brands to manage the entire lifecycle of their products. This includes production, sales, and distribution directly to consumers through their channels. One significant feature of the D2C model is the increased control over the entire value chain. This level of control helps maintain a cohesive brand image and ensures a smooth customer experience. In contrast, traditional retail brands often depend on wholesalers or distributors, which can complicate management and dilute brand messaging. Moreover, D2C electronic brands excel in communication with their customers. They utilise their websites, social media, and direct messaging to foster genuine connections. This direct interaction allows brands to grasp customer preferences and adapt their offerings accordingly. Traditional retailers, however, may struggle with this direct line of communication, often relying on third parties, which can hinder authentic engagement. Factors Behind the Success of Electronics D2C Brands Electronics D2C brands have reshaped the way products are marketed and sold. Several marketing factors have contributed to their success in the market, which are: Cost-Effectiveness One key reason for the growth of electronics D2C brands is their cost efficiency. Traditional retail models involve multiple intermediaries, each adding to the overall cost. In contrast, the D2C approach enables consumers to buy directly from brands, removing these extra layers. This simplification helps D2C electronics brands offer competitive prices while maintaining product quality, making them appealing to price-conscious customers. Convenience of Online Shopping The rise in online shopping has significantly benefited D2C brands. These brands can easily launch new products and make updates while closely monitoring customer experiences. They can quickly adapt to market changes without the logistical challenges of setting up physical stores. This online focus enhances customer convenience and allows brands to reach a wider audience. Enhanced Engagement and Targeting Social media plays a significant role in the success of D2C brands. Companies use platforms like Instagram and Facebook to showcase their products through engaging content such as reels and stories. This interactive approach not only spreads awareness but also fosters trust among consumers. D2C brands build strong relationships that contribute to long-term success by effectively communicating with their audience. Growth in Information Technology The booming information technology sector also supports the growth of D2C electronics brands. In 2023, global IT spending reached over USD 1.5 trillion, providing the tools and infrastructure necessary for these brands to thrive. The integration of advanced technologies enhances operational efficiency and enables better experiences, fueling the overall expansion of the electronics market. Key Electronics D2C Brands in India Internal Image Text: The Journey of Successful Electronics D2C Brands: Major Players in India India is home to a rapidly growing electronics brand market that directly connects with consumers. Let’s explore some of the key electronics D2C brands in the Indian market. boAt boAt, launched by Aman Gupta and Sameer Mehta in 2016, offers a range of audio devices like headphones, earphones, and speakers. By focusing on affordability and marketing, boAt stood out in a market dominated by international brands. The company positioned itself as more than just a product maker. They branded their buyers as “boAtheads,” creating a community of tech-savvy consumers. By doing this, boAt targeted younger audiences, presenting itself as a lifestyle brand. Their marketing efforts focused on connecting with consumers personally, contributing to their widespread popularity. Noise Noise began its journey by selling smartphone accessories but quickly expanded to smart wearables like earbuds and fitness trackers. Founded by Gaurav Khatri and Amit Khatri, the brand responded to rising health trends in India, offering devices that helped people monitor their fitness goals. What sets Noise apart is its direct engagement with consumers. Despite not having external funding, Noise used social media platforms to communicate directly with customers. This approach and products offering regional language support and affordable pricing enabled them to break the competition. HP HP, a well-established global electronics brand, has made a strong mark in the Indian market. Known for its laptops and PCs, HP has focused on increasing its presence in India by aligning with local manufacturing initiatives like “Make in India.” HP’s success is also driven by its ability to create recurring revenue streams. After capturing the market for laptops and printers, HP ensured continuous engagement by selling additional products like paper, ink, and maintenance services, which kept consumers coming back. Fitbit Fitbit, a leading player in the health wearables market, offers wireless devices that monitor and track health metrics. Fitbit doesn’t just sell fitness devices; it keeps users engaged with fitness challenges, games, and rewards, making exercise enjoyable rather than a chore. Strategic partnerships and celebrity endorsements have further boosted Fitbit’s visibility. Fitbit's strong focus on fostering a connection with health-conscious consumers helped the brand grow significantly, encouraging users to stay loyal through exciting features and incentives. Zebronics Zebronics is another Indian brand making waves in the electronics space. Known for products like headphones, gaming accessories, and speakers, Zebronics delivers affordable yet high-quality technology. If you are looking for the best earbuds under 2000, Zebronics offers options that combine superior sound quality, comfort, and durability at an unbeatable price. The brand’s focus on innovation and reliability and its competitive pricing have made it a top choice among Indian consumers. By providing a variety of electronic devices that cater to different needs, Zebronics has positioned itself as a versatile and dependable brand in the Indian electronics market. Strategies That Make Electronics D2C Brands Successful Electronics D2C brands must adopt strategies to thrive in this competitive space, ensuring growth and customer satisfaction. Balance Innovation with Quality Maintaining a balance between innovation and product quality is crucial for electronics brands. Consumers expect electronics to be both reliable and advanced technology. To achieve this, brands must invest in research and development, ensuring their products meet evolving consumer demands while maintaining high-quality standards. User-Friendly Website For any D2C brand, a well-optimised website is essential. A website is usually the initial point of interaction between a brand and its likely customers. Making the site easy to navigate, with an easy checkout process and good product descriptions, can drastically improve sales and brand credibility. Additionally, interactive elements like chatbots enhance the user experience, providing instant assistance and improving customer satisfaction. Loyalty Programmes One-time purchases aren’t enough to sustain growth. Electronics D2C brands must focus on retaining customers. Offering incentives such as discount coupons, free delivery, or loyalty rewards can keep customers returning for more. Giving exclusive deals or early access to new products makes loyal customers feel valued, increasing their likelihood of repeat purchases. Rewarding loyalty helps build a dedicated customer base that supports sustained revenue growth. Data-Driven Strategies Successful brands use data analytics to make informed decisions. Gathering customer preference data allows brands to understand what products are in demand, helping avoid unnecessary production and saving resources. Competitor analysis is another valuable strategy. By examining competitors’ strengths and weaknesses, brands can identify missed opportunities and make improvements. Challenges Faced by D2C Electronics Brands D2C electronics brands face unique challenges in the competitive online market. Here are some key obstacles they encounter in their journey: Intense Competition and Product Differentiation Electronics D2C brands struggle to stand out in an overcrowded marketplace. With countless online ventures offering similar products, showcasing a unique selling point (USP) is hard. Customers can easily compare features and prices across platforms, making it difficult for brands to differentiate their products. Omnichannel Presence Modern consumers expect brands to be available across multiple platforms. D2C electronics brands must ensure they are present wherever their target audience is, whether on social media, eCommerce platforms, or mobile apps. Being absent from a platform where competitors are active can mean lost opportunities. High Advertising Costs While advertising is essential for growth, it comes with a hefty price tag for D2C brands. Without a physical presence, they rely heavily on digital advertising to build brand awareness. However, running effective ad campaigns can be expensive, and not every D2C business has the budget to sustain it. This challenge makes it hard for smaller brands to compete with more established players. Customer Acquisition and Retention Attracting new customers and maintaining loyalty is a significant hurdle. Top D2C brands must work hard to build a connection with their customers. High acquisition costs and intense competition mean consumers can easily be swayed to try other brands. Establishing long-term loyalty takes time and consistent effort. Unpredictable Consumer Demand Consumer preferences in the electronics market can change quickly. One day, a product might be in high demand, and the next, consumers may shift their interest elsewhere. This unpredictability forces D2C brands to stay agile, but keeping up with fluctuating demands is no easy task. Future of D2C Electronics Brands The future of electronics D2C brands looks promising, marked by increased investment and growth potential. Experts anticipate a surge in funding as successful D2C companies demonstrate their ability to achieve solid returns. Investors are particularly interested in high-quality brands that focus on the efficient use of capital. This interest is expected to drive significant mergers and acquisitions over the next few years as established companies look to acquire emerging D2C brands. The digital shift has empowered consumers, shifting the balance of power away from traditional retail and distribution channels. eCommerce platforms like ZOP have simplified the shopping experience, making it easier for customers nationwide to find D2C brands. With the significantly reduced barriers to establishing physical retail outlets, D2C electronics brands can engage directly with their audiences without the overhead costs associated with brick-and-mortar stores. Conclusion The growth of electronics D2C brands represent a significant change in the consumer electronics market. These brands focus on the needs of their customers, implementing personalised strategies that enhance the shopping experience. By adopting omnichannel marketing techniques, they engage consumers across various platforms, ensuring a seamless experience. As a result, D2C brands are reshaping the landscape of electronics sales and redefining how customers connect with technology.
Why Online Shopping is the Ultimate Choice for Women's Dresses
In August 2022, a comprehensive survey across the US, UK, France, Germany, and Australia revealed a compelling trend: women are increasingly turning to online shopping for fashion, outpacing men in digital retail. According to the survey, 82% of female digital buyers purchased clothing online in the previous 12 months, compared to 73% of their male counterparts. Online shopping provides a vast array of choices, from different styles and brands to various price points, allowing women to find exactly what suits their tastes and budgets without the limitations of physical stores. Additionally, the rise of personalised recommendations and easy return policies has made the online shopping experience even more appealing. Moreover, online platforms often feature exclusive collections, early access to new releases, and frequent sales, further enticing women to shop online. The ability to read reviews, compare prices, and explore fashion trends from the comfort of home empowers women to make informed decisions, adding to the allure of digital fashion shopping. Let’s explore why online shopping has become the go-to option for women to buy clothes and how ZOP can help you find trendy clothes online at affordable prices. Exploring the Reasons For Women Turning to Online Shops for Dresses Let’s look at the major benefits of why women prefer to buy clothes online. Shop from anywhere Online shopping is easier and more convenient than buying clothes from shopping malls. It’s also less time-consuming since you don’t have to commute to the shop to buy your favourite clothes. You can shop right from your mobile phone. When shopping offline, you may have to limit your preferences to the number of retail stores you can visit and what they have in stock at the given time. In 2021, 20,000 consumers from 12 global markets were surveyed about why they prefer shopping online. More than half (56%) of the respondents said the ease and convenience of shopping at their preferred time is the major reason for shopping online. Extensive customer support Most eCommerce businesses now offer quick and reliable customer support to online shoppers. Approximately 37% of customers would abandon their carts if they found issues with a customer support service. Moreover, 48% of customers would leave a website if they didn’t receive assistance within five minutes. Online businesses are often known for their quick and reliable customer support, during placing an order and after the purchase. As online shoppers, you understand how important it is for your issues to be resolved promptly. In fact, 93% of the customers are more likely to shop with a brand again if their customer service experience was positive, according to HubSpot. When shopping for clothes online, you mostly expect the customer support team to be fast, responsive, and offer accurate information. Easy returns and exchanges and quick refunds When you know you can easily return and exchange the clothes, you are more likely to purchase online than through physical stores. In fact, 62% of the consumers are more likely to shop online if they can return the purchased product. In addition to quick and reliable deliveries, shopping for clothes online enables you to return and exchange them without hassle. Did you know almost 30% of all products purchased online are returned compared to only 8.89% of products in physical stores? If you don’t like the clothes you have purchased or it’s not a perfect fit, you can always mention the reason and easily request a return or exchange within a specific time frame. With more than 56% return rate, clothes are the most returned products among all eCommerce verticals. You can also track the delivery status of your order on the online platform’s website. Once your product is successfully returned, your refund will be processed. Most eCommerce businesses profess refunds within 24 to 48 hours. Quick refunds are important because 30% of consumers believe fast refunds make the return experience more satisfying. Free shipping As someone who purchases clothes online, you must understand the importance of free shipping. Online shoppers are six times more likely to prefer free shipping over fast shipping. That’s why most eCommerce fashion retailers offer free shipping, making online shopping more accessible. However, there’s often a threshold to qualify for free shipping. A staggering 93% of customers are ready to purchase additional items to qualify for free shipping. It is one of the most common strategies among customers to work their way around to take advantage of free shipping. Even if free shipping wouldn’t make online shopping more affordable, it wouldn’t make it more expensive than a regular shopping spree to a physical store. If brands don’t want to lose as many as 62% of customers, they should consider offering free shipping. Consumers would even abandon their carts if they didn’t find free shipping or their preferred shipping option. Availability of more options The variety of products you can shop online is rapidly growing. According to Statista, 61% of consumers surveyed online revealed clothes to be the most popular category to shop online, followed by shoes at 44%. Finding new varieties of products online and discovering new brands are the biggest benefits of shopping online. Physical stores have limited shelf space, unlike online stores, where you can find plenty of options. You can choose from an extensive range of clothes based on your style or preferred brands. Online stores also enable you to explore global brands, unique designs and styles, and the latest fashion trends from a single platform. You may not find these in a physical store. Moreover, you can filter your search for clothes with a search filter eCommerce websites offer. You can narrow your search based on colour, size, brands, price range, etc. Once again, the ease of shopping online isn’t something you’ll find when shopping in physical stores. Easier to compare Though it’s easier and more convenient to shop for clothes online, you may often find yourself overwhelmed with too many options. However, there is a solution for that as well. When you shop online, it’s easier to compare the clothes. You can read customer reviews and testimonials online. You can also look for the same clothes on two or more eCommerce websites to compare for pricing, designs, discounts, etc. As you may have already experienced, physical stores don’t offer this benefit. Even if you can compare clothes when shopping offline, you may have to visit multiple stores to compare prices, stock options available, discounts, etc. Discounts Discounts are one of the biggest benefits of shopping for clothes online. If you’ve shopped for clothes online, you must have availed of special offers and discounts. You can find various lucrative deals to make online shopping more affordable. You can also purchase clothes at discounted rates from coupon codes, clearance sales, referral discounts, loyalty programs, credit and debit card discounts, and more. ZOP: Where You Can Find Classy and Trendy Women's Dresses Shiprocket ZOP brings you one step closer to all your favourite D2C brands, offering unique artisanal products from all over India. Cutting out the middlemen, ZOP promises personalised product recommendations, better prices, and excellent customer service. ZOP also offers D2C brands a chance to get closer to their customers and engage with them by sharing their stories. As ZOP says, it’s not just another online marketplace. It’s a one-of-a-kind D2C platform for discovering and shopping online. As customers, you can discover a curated list of products from an extensive range of D2C brands. Some of the most popular categories of products on ZOP include women’s and men’s fashion, home decor, electronics, snacks and sweets, health and wellness, etc. Backed by Shiprocket, ZOP promises a superior shopping experience. Features like single-click checkout, quick and reliable shipping, and seamless customer support after purchase will make your buying journey delightful. Conclusion The option for women to shop for clothes online is not just a convenient option; it has become the go-to choice for many women. The flexibility, variety, and personalised experiences offered by eCommerce platforms reshape how women shop for fashion. It has made finding styles that resonate with their individuality and lifestyle easier. Moreover, the benefit of shopping at any hour, accessing global brands, and enjoying seamless shopping experiences is invaluable for most women. With more women turning to online marketplaces to meet their fashion needs, the future of fashion retail undoubtedly lies online. The online shopping experience is highly likely to improve, offering even more personalised, efficient, and enjoyable shopping methods. The benefits of online shopping make it the preferred choice for women who value both style and convenience in their busy lives.
Buy Trendy Men’s Fashionwear at Top Online Clothing Stores
Online stores offer a wide range of latest men’s fashion clothing to match the taste of modern-day men. Whether you are looking for party wear clothes, casual or formal wear – you will find immense variety in all the categories. The worldwide revenue of the men’s apparel segment stood at USD 504 billion in 2022; 33% of the total apparel revenue for the year. It is likely to go up to USD 643 billion by 2028. Online fashion stores such as ZOP offer a trendy collection at prices that fit the budget of different customer segments. If you are unsure what’s in fashion or what more you should add to your wardrobe, then the information given here should be of help. In this article, we have shared different clothing items that all men must add to their wardrobe to dress aptly for various occasions. Read on to find out. Men’s Fashion in 2024: Trendy Picks to Add to Your Wardrobe Are you bored of wearing the same old combinations? Want to freshen up your look? It may be time to add variety, colour, and vibrancy to your wardrobe. As they say, “Life’s too short to wear boring clothes.” Here are some stylish yet comfortable men’s fashion items you may want to add to your wardrobe. Denim Jackets Denim jackets are in fashion yet again! If you don’t own one yet then go shop for it now! While the good old indigo denim jackets look awesome, you may want to try other colours or shades. A denim jacket adds character to your outfit. You can pair it with your T-shirt, formal shirt, and short kurtas. There is no shortage of variety when it comes to this popular clothing item. You will find different kinds in various men’s fashion stores online. Oversized T-shirts Fitted T-shirts designed to flaunt muscles were once a rage but are no longer in trend. Today’s youth prefers comfort – Gen Zs love wearing oversized hoodies and T-shirts that render a cool appeal effortlessly. Men’s online shopping stores flaunt oversized T-shirts in different colours and designs. You will find these at a reasonably affordable price. Pick a few in different colours and designs that enhance your personality. Go for ones in soft and breathable fabric to ensure utmost comfort. Enhance your appeal by teaming them with a pair of cropped pants and loafers. Floral Print Cotton Shirts for Men If you think tie-dye and floral print shirts are an apt choice only for your Goa or Maldives trip then you are far behind the trend! It seems like the new-age men don’t want to be confined to boring striped, chequered, and plain shirts. They are embracing tie-dye, batik, and floral prints to bring newness to their look. As you browse through linen, poplin, and cotton shirts for men, you will find numerous prints and designs in all sizes. Pick a few pieces to add a dash of colour to your wardrobe. They look good when teamed with a pair of blue denim or casual shorts. A Pair of Chinos Chinos are loved for their style and fit. Their flat front and tapered ankle renders a prim look. They have a casual yet classy appeal and are comfortable at the same time. If you do not own a pair of chinos, then it is time to add a few to your wardrobe. Pair a formal shirt for men with your chinos to get ready for a semi-formal event. Team up the bottom wear with a T-shirt and a pair of sneakers for a casual appeal. Mostly made of breathable, lightweight cotton twill fabric, it is a good choice for the summer months. Shackets Shackets seamlessly blend the features of a shirt and jacket to offer a versatile piece apt for both formal and casual wear. Mostly made using cotton or denim fabric, shackets come in a variety of colours and designs. Wear it over a plain T-shirt to add a layer of style. With unpredictable weather, a shacket can be your go-to clothing piece. Straight Relaxed Fit Jeans If your wardrobe is still filled with skinny jeans, it may be time for an upgrade. Straight, relaxed fit jeans are gaining popularity among men of all ages. They boast comfort and style and are thus quite in trend this season. Replace your skinny jeans with these trendy denims. You will find them in different shades and sizes in various men’s fashion stores. Asymmetric Kurtas Elegantly designed asymmetric kurtas have grown immensely popular among men. The asymmetric hemline renders a taller and slimmer look. They do not just look graceful but are also quite comfortable to wear. You can team them with a pair of dhoti pants, a pyjama, or even your favourite denim jeans. With the festive season approaching, it can be a good idea to stock up on some asymmetric kurtas in different designs and colours. You will find them in various fabrics, including silk, cotton, georgette, denim, and muslin. Indo Western Suit Your wardrobe is certainly incomplete without a gracefully designed indo-western suit. If you are missing out on this traditional attire with a modern appeal, then it is time to indulge in men’s online shopping and pick at least one piece to prepare for the upcoming festivities followed by the wedding season. Known for their distinctive appeal, these outfits are appropriate for formal and semi-formal occasions. You will find a wide variety of suits under this category. You can also create your fusion wear by mixing and matching different Indian and Western attires. Cropped Pants The demand for cropped pants is gaining popularity because of their comfortable fit. These popular ankle-length pants render a stylish appeal. Available in different fabrics, including linen, cotton, polyester, and denim, they go well with formal shirts, T-shirts, and kurtas. They are a great alternative to full-length trousers during the summer months. ZOP: Discover the Trendsetting Men’s Fashion ZOP is the answer to all your fashion needs. Men’s fashion collection on ZOP is vibrant and vivid. You will find various outfits under different categories to match different tastes. Whether you are looking for comfortable cotton shirts for men, traditional kurtas with elaborate designs, or different kinds of bottom wear – ZOP has it all. Browse through different categories to choose trendy clothing items that suit your style. You will find stylish yet comfortable clothes apt for different age groups at competitive rates. Conclusion If you think only women have a vast variety of fashionable attires to choose from, then you likely haven’t tried shopping on ZOP. Top online clothing stores offer a wide array of men’s fashion clothing to match different tastes. If you plan to refresh your wardrobe this season, look for fashionwear that’s in trend currently. It is a good idea to add some oversized T-shirts, floral print shirts, asymmetric kurtas, and a denim jacket to your collection. If you are looking for bottom wear, then try chinos and denim in a straight, relaxed fit. It is sug
Top 20 D2C Brands Redefining Success in the Indian Market
The Indian direct-to-consumer (D2C) market is on the cusp of remarkable transformation, projected to reach a staggering $61.3 billion by FY27. You can attribute this spike to an increased focus on targeted marketing, hyper-personalisation, cut-throat competition, and rising per capita income. Moreover, a report by Inc42 states India already boasts 800+ D2C startups and a burgeoning online shopper base over 100 million. Since 2014, the D2C segment has attracted nearly US $2.04 billion in funding, with the market pacing towards a whopping US $100 billion by 2025. Some of the best D2C brands have garnered the highest funding, like Lenskart ($774 Mn), Boat ($116.3 Mn), and more. Nonetheless, in the vast pool of emerging and existing D2C businesses, certain brands are redefining what success looks like. Here’s a look at the 20 best D2C brands making a significant impact in the Indian market. Top 20 Rising D2C Brands in India 2024 Let's take a look at 20 of the top rising D2C brands in India that have captured the attention of both consumers and investors: BoAt Lifestyle BoAt Lifestyle, founded in 2014 by Aman Gupta (also an investor at the Shark Tank India reality show) and Sameer Mehta, is a fashionable, wearable brand. It primarily sells audio-related and other electronic items. Its categories include headphones, speakers, earphones, power banks, car accessories, smartwatches, and more. From being a bootstrapped firm to becoming a US $500 million brand, boAt's journey has been enterprising. In FY 2023, the company had 15 million of its products assembled in India, and it hit $500 million in revenue in the same year. It was the first time they’ve reached this figure since its inception. BoAt almost ruled the audio wearable segment in 2023, with nearly 30.6% of the market share. BoAt played smart by restricting its sales to a single medium but stayed active on online and offline channels simultaneously. You can find the brand on eCommerce websites like Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra, and in offline stores like Reliance Digital, catering to the varied shopping preferences of buyers. Bombay Shirt Company Launched in 2012, Bombay Shirt Company is India's first online custom shirt brand. Since then, they've opened over 20 brick-and-mortar stores nationwide and expanded their product offerings into many new categories. This homegrown D2C clothing brand has raised Rs 54 Crore in a Series B funding round led by Singularity, involving contributions from Singularity general partner and the Caratlane founder, Mithun Sacheti. Bewakoof.Com Bewakoof, a lifestyle fashion venture established in 2012, makes creative, distinctive clothing for the trendy, contemporary Indian audience. The brand simply wanted to create a gruelling impact through innovation, integrity, and thoughtfulness. They have a sizeable 400-member team today, with 2 million products flown off their shelves to date. Bewakoof’s product range always stays fresh and up-to-date, clocking sales of over 1 lakh products monthly. The brand has achieved these heights with smart moves such as vertically integrating, manufacturing their own products, and cutting out the middleman wherever possible. This D2C model allows them to curate high-quality fashion at pocket-friendly prices. The brand is also thoughtful about its environmental impact and attempts to minimise its environmental footprint. They have impressive efforts, from rainwater harvesting to paper packaging, weaved into their day-to-day operations. Pepperfry In 2012, Ambareesh Murty and Ashish Shah aced omnichannel retail to launch Pepperfry, which is the country’s leading furniture and home goods eCommerce marketplace. In 2014, the company established its first brick-and-mortar store in Mumbai and expanded to over 70 stores spanning 28 Indian cities by 2019. India’s furniture market was a hyperlocal show before Pepperfry disrupted the fabric of classical retail by merging an online virtual catalogue, creating the country’s most extensive big-box supply chain network and a huge omnichannel footprint with over 200 studios in about 100 Indian cities. The company has accumulated funding of over $200 million from many investors in the past decade. The Souled Store The Souled Store began when India's eCommerce story had only begun to make waves in 2013 and the UPI boom was still a thing of the future. The founders sensed a great opportunity and came together to share their passion with buyers who relish a touch of personality to everyday wear by fusing their favourite characters and mascots into the designs. That’s how one of the best D2C brands came to life, offering quirky apparel featuring pop culture and comic references from DC and Marvel studios and famous sitcoms. The Souled Store has successfully positioned itself as a booming omnichannel lifestyle brand, boasting 22 retail stores across the country. It Is available on online shopping websites like Myntra and Flipkart. The brand ships nearly 2.5 Lakh online orders every month and has served over 70 lakh customers to date. It has expanded its team to 500+ members. Moreover, the brand clocked a Rs 253 Crores revenue in FY23. Plus, with 3PL’s help, The Souled Store cut down its order processing time from 24 hours to 12 hours, giving their end customers a better experience. Neemans Taran Chhabra and Amar Preet came up with Neemans in 2018. The startup has created ripples in the US $11 billion Indian footwear market by introducing shoes crafted from merino wool in India. The unexplored yarn is a boon to the Indian feet because it has a unique temperature regulating property. The bonus? This material is sustainable and comfortable enough to wear all day. Neeman's unique footwear impressed investors and the company raised Rs.20 Crores in the Sixth Sense Ventures Series A round. As the Indian footwear industry hadn’t seen much innovation, Neeman’s new-age products were like a breath of fresh air. Their dual focus on customers and products yielded explosive growth in 2020 when most businesses hit rock bottom. They saw 600% growth despite the restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Five years and more than a million pairs sold, Neeman’s is now regarded as the best D2C brand that revolutionises footwear trends in India. FableStreet Fablestreet, an apparel brand launched in 2016, found that most Western fashion brands make garments according to the American/European body standards, which makes it difficult for Indian women to find a flattering and comfortable fit. Thus, the brand decided to focus on designing clothes specifically created keeping the Indian women’s body proportions in mind. They do not follow the standard US, UK, or EU size charts. The brand collected over 1 lakh Indian women's body measurements to create India’s most appropriate FIT Algorithm. It gives a more accurate fit using only three measurements (chest, waist, and hip) acquired from customers during order placement. The 'FS Sizing Algorithm' takes only these three measurements and extrapolates the rest to 95% accuracy. This approach paid off and won the hearts of customers and investors. FableStreet has raised approximately Rs 70 crore worth of funding to date. Beco With celebrities like Dia Mirza, Bhumi Pednekar, Ranbir Kapoor, Rohit Sharma, and Aamir Khan as investors, the Mumbai D2C startup ‘Beco’ is setting a new benchmark by replacing single-use plastic with its sustainable and eco-friendly products. The co-founder, Aditya Ruia, says Dia Mirza was surprisingly one of Beco's first customers. The startup was also among the vendors present at the actor’s famous sustainable wedding. Beco, incepted in 2019, makes eco-friendly and cost-efficient products that are as flexible as single-use plastic items. They use recyclable cardboard packaging and their exclusive Cocozyme Technology that derives the natural power from coconuts and distills it into a soap form. In the past five years, Beco has saved more than 500 tonnes of plastic waste through its sustainable production and packaging model. The company grabbed the attention of many investors and recently raised $3 million in a Series A round from Rukum Capital, Better Capital, Priyavrata Mafatlal, and others. It’s grown to become one of the best D2C brands in the sustainable segment. CaratLane CaratLane, shining bright since 2008, is one of the biggest Indian omnichannel jewellery retailers, with more than 140 physical stores in over 40 cities. It manufactures and sells jewellery in India and the United States. In the last year, CaratLane achieved some incredible milestones: Valuation: Rs. 17,000 crore (US $2 billion) Funding: Rs. 4,600 crore Revenue: Rs. 2,177 crore Net worth: Rs. 2,169 crore CaratLane is a favourite among many because of its high-quality jewellery at 30% lower prices than the usual market rates. They achieve this by eliminating inefficiencies and reducing costs, making their products much more affordable for customers. Moreover, CaratLane's mobile app has become popular among the masses. Their app has advanced features like Virtual Try-on, which helps customers virtually try on thousands of earrings and see how they would look. With over 100,000 downloads, the CaratLane app has garnered significant traction in the market. Just Herbs A Mohali-based D2C venture by Arush Chopra, Dr Neena Chopra, and Megha Sabhlok started in 2014. Just Herbs came into action when Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) wasn’t the norm and eCommerce giants like Amazon and Flipkart ruled the online retail market. From 2014 to 2016, the founders considered their website the primary sales channel since selling directly through the website meant quick payments. In 2017, they launched a Facebook community, JustHerbs Insiders, to get direct customer feedback, allowing about 3,000 to 4,000 women to talk about their experience with the band. That year, the company made over 30 lakh in sales through its website. A merger with Marico in 2021 gave the Ayurvedic BPC brand wings, expanding to over 500 retail touchpoints across the country from just six. From generating Rs 17.5 crores in FY21, the co-founders claim to have surpassed the Rs 100 crore revenue run rate mark in FY24. The company now has a team size of over 300 members. Chaayos Chaayos, one of the best D2C brands in the food and beverages industry, has sold tea and food products since 2012. Apart from the 200 physical cafes it owns, the startup also takes advantage of the online marketplaces to reach more customers and sell products. Over the years, the brand gained much popularity among generations, especially Gen-Z and Gen-Y. In FY23, Chaayos’ total revenue was Rs 253.4 crores, increasing by 81% from Rs 140.1 crores in FY22. Chaayos' business model revolves around its unique product, 'Meri wali Chai,' a blend of quality, flavours, variety, and wholesomeness. The brand offers about 25 different types of tea and around 12,000 ways to customise these concoctions. Customers can also pick some add-on flavours and buy their bundled snacks and chai mixes. Nuawoman When Ravi Ramachandran launched Nua, a women's wellness D2C brand, in 2016, he noticed that there were numerous cosmetic and grooming brands in the market, but the women's wellness segment was left unaddressed. Nua tapped into this sector by acknowledging women's health and hygiene. The brand sells sanitary pads, Cramp Comfort (India's first self-heating patch), 1mm Everyday Liners and Uplift (mensuration nutrition drink mix), foaming intimate wash, and more, targeting a community of 4 lakh+ women who want to start a new wellness journey. The D2c brand raised US $7.1 million in pre-Series B funding led by Lightbox Ventures and others three years ago. Nua also added the famous actor ‘Deepika Padukone’ as their investor, who works closely with the brand to ideate and bring new wellness solutions. Sugar Cosmetics One of the best D2C brands in the cosmetic industry, Sugar Cosmetics, has seen a hard time in its teething days. It required capital, and Vineeta Singh and her co-founder, Kaushik Mukherjee, found it very difficult to raise funding. In only four years after its inception in 2015, Sugar Cosmetics earned Rs 100 Crores in annual revenue as compared to legacy cosmetic brands like Revlon that took two decades to reach the same milestone in India. The founders credit most of the success to their offline bet, omnichannel approach, and app development. The brand raised about US $50 million in April 2022, has expanded its offline presence and almost doubled its physical store count to 200 by June 2023. Sugar Cosmetics revenue jumped 89% to approximately Rs 420 crore in FY23. Jimmy’s Cocktails Jimmy's Cocktail started with only an initial investment of Rs 50 lakh in 2019 by Bhatia and others. Within a few months, they conducted a small seed round worth Rs 2 crores. Later, it raised Rs 9 crores in two rounds, and recently, the brand secured Rs 14 crores in funding in a bridge round led by Roots Ventures ahead of its Series A. The company wanted to test its products in September 2019 to gauge the customers’ reactions and get some feedback before a full-scale launch. They pivoted to a D2C model during the first wave of COVID and launched their digital campaigns. Within a short period, Jimmy’s Cocktails was selling from their website, capturing 400 locations in India, superseding their offline presence target. The startup’s incredible performance in a short span reflected in its growth: 0.1% of all the premium spirits people consumed at home back in 2021 were mixed with Jimmy’s concoctions. As a result, the brand saw nearly 180% revenue growth in that year. Today, they have an omnichannel presence, available at all major eCommerce platforms and 5,000 retail outlets across 50 Indian cities. Rage Coffee Rage Coffee, started in 2018, this Virat Kohli-backed D2C startup in the FMCG industry is renowned as the world's first plant-based vitamins coffee venture. It raised nearly US $5 million in 2021 in a Series A funding round. The funding helped them expand their offline and online presence. As a result, you’ll find Rage Coffee in about 2,500 retail outlets across India. In December 2023, the D2C brand achieved Rs 100 crores in its cumulative sales and has grown remarkably rapidly since its inception. Mamaearth Ghazal Alagh, the founder of Mamaearth, started this D2C brand in 2016 after realising the shortage of good baby care products available for her child. Mamaearth initially launched six baby products and, in just two years, penetrated other categories like skincare and haircare, which account for 80% of its website sales today (according to a Jefferies report) Today, Mamaearth caters to 5 million+ customers in 500 Indian cities. Last year, the brand was declared a unicorn business (currently valued at US $1.2 billion) and also gained a Rs 14 Crore profit for the first time. Coolberg Founded in 2016 by a husband-wife duo, Coolberg brings a variety of non-alcoholic beers to the Indian market. Coolberg is now one of the best D2C brands in India, producing non-alcoholic beers to introduce a new drink genre that the country has never witnessed before 2016. The brand raised US $3.5 million in Series A funding in 2019. Their unique Malt Zero Alcohol Beer (having a beer-like flavour) and other malt-based drinks, like Cranberry, Strawberry, Ginger, Peach, and Mint took off. The company appealed to many customers, especially the teetotallers who need non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy with their friends and family at hangouts and clubs. The millennial-oriented D2C brand also plays around with its packaging and has youthful and delightful designs to captivate its target audience. You can now find Coolberg's products in over 30 major cities. After four years of its launch, the brand got on the shelves of 25,000 stores within the country, making its way to supermarkets, cafes, grocery stores, restaurants, airports, colleges, and many online platforms. Cultfit When we talk about Cultfit, we’re looking at India’s first fitness unicorn, with an enormous sportswear collection for men and women, that touched Rs. 700 crores of revenue in FY23 (triple of what they made in FY22). Started in 2016, Cultfit has over 1 lakh consumers and a whopping 300% YOY sales growth over the last eight years. Their secret sauce is acquisitions. The D2C brand acquired more than 20 startups in a span of eight years. The company also successfully raised Rs 84.5 crore (nearly US $10.2 million) in a funding round by their existing backer, Valecha Investments, contributing more than Rs 36 crores to the brand. Urban Monkey In five years, Yash Gangwal built a Rs 5 crore hip-hop products D2C brand suited for underground artists. Young Indians, especially those born after 1980, really like hip-hop fashion. This style mostly focuses on hoodies, t-shirts, jackets, and sneakers with bright colours and loud designs. Urban Monkey saw this trend and started making such clothes in 2014. The owner wanted to show off India's street culture. The company has even worked with famous Indian TV hosts and rappers, like Raftaar, Rannvijay Singh, Emiway Bantai, and many other celebrities to make their brand popular. ZOP: Discover the Emerging D2C Brands in India Zop is a unique online shopping platform connecting shoppers directly with D2C brands that make and sell their own products. What does Zop offer? For shoppers: They can find unique products from various D2C brands in India on one eCommerce platform. They get the best prices and personalised service. For brands: New and growing D2C brands can tell their story and connect with customers. They don't have to go through big stores or marketplaces. ZOP’s shopping experience for your end customers: Easy one-click checkout. Fast and reliable shipping. Good customer support post-purchase. We want to change how people shop online by bringing shoppers and D2C brands closer. Sign up with us to leverage one of India’s best eCommerce platforms for D2C businesses. Conclusion The future looks bright for direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands in India. Investors have poured over $4 billion into these companies in recent years, showing strong faith in their potential. As people earn more money and seek out unique, personalised products, D2C brands are well-positioned to grow. They can create unique items for specific customer groups, which encourages people to buy more often and spend more money. With so many new and exciting D2C brands, platforms like ZOP by Shiprocket are becoming more important. They help shoppers discover these brands and allow the brands to tell their stories directly to customers. This connection between brands and buyers is shaping the future of online shopping in India.
