As a result of globalization, India has grown into one of the world’s most powerful economies with an advanced infrastructure. Even rural areas have been able to access the internet as a result of the ever-increasing availability of cheap smartphones.
India is the best place for foreign companies to launch their unique products. In fact, India’s English-speaking population represents a great opportunity for localizing products.
Many companies and brands have already achieved success in the country, especially those whose products are suited to India’s market. It’s all about understanding the culture and market.
Let’s take a look at some of the brands that have worked hard to become successful in India:
1. Apple – Apple made a strong beginning in India back in the year 2008, partnering with Tata group to open its first retail store at Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai. Since then it has added more than 50 premium stores throughout the country and is one of the most popular luxury brands in India.
2. McDonald’s – From just one restaurant in New Delhi in 1996, they have emerged as the second-largest fast-food services company in India, serving approximately 3 million Indians daily.
3. Starbucks – Starbucks is an American coffee giant which is rapidly expanding in India with 70 stores already open and almost 100 more planned.
4. Xiaomi – The Chinese giant Xiaomi entered the Indian market in July 2014 and opened its first store in Bangalore. Their main appeal is offering high-end specs at low prices, which has allowed them to make a name for themselves in India.
5. Nivea – Nivea entered the Indian market back in 1972 with an oil-based moisturizer which accounted for about 70% of the local market. Now they lead the Indian skincare market with a huge range of products including deodorants, face wash, body lotions and more.
6. Samsung – Some people say that India is Samsung’s home ground since it has one store for every 100,000 Indians! The Korean giant accounts for one-fifth of India’s mobile phone market and has been advertising heavily to maintain its top spot.
How to Launch a New Product in India
So, once you have decided to enter the Indian market with your unique product and are prepared to tap into India’s huge buying power, how should you proceed?
The first step would be to conduct a market research , such as an industry analysis or a country-specific competitive intelligence. The next step is creating awareness about your product through marketing campaigns and establishing your brand through corporate identity.
You should also consider promoting the unique features of your product so that customers understand the added value it can bring into their lives. Finally, you might want to appoint a local distributor or a representative, provide after-sales support and offer warranties for your products as per Indian standards.
How to Sell Products in India
Once you’ve successfully launched your products in India, your next step is to sell them. There are several ways of doing this, but the most popular ones are brick-and-mortar retail outlets and online stores.
Open a Physical Store
If you decide to go with a physical store, make sure it’s strategically located so that it can serve as many customers as possible.
You may want to open a franchisee store or work with an existing retailer in your sector. In that case, you can benefit from their name and be sure they have the necessary experience in running such a business.
Alternatively, if you are interested in opening a shop on your own, keep in mind it will take time before you start generating revenues. This is why you should find a business partner who will invest in your venture, get the necessary permits and help you with other challenges such as hiring employees.
Sell Online
India has more than 35 million online shoppers and an industry that is growing every year.
If you choose to sell your products over the internet, make sure you offer them at competitive prices so that people are actually willing to place orders via your website or other e-commerce portals. Moreover, provide them with accurate information on how much time they will have to wait for their items to be delivered.
Secondly, make sure your website is “user-friendly” and has a payment gateway that supports multiple credit cards. This way you will reduce the chance of online shoppers abandoning their carts due to frustration.
Finally, plan your inventory so that you are able to meet the demand at all times. You may also want to offer discounts on certain items, like smartphones you have just launched in India, or during festivals such as Diwali or Independence Day.
Benefits of Selling Products in India
India is the world’s sixth-largest economy, and its purchasing power is growing at a fast pace. According to one study, in 2025 India will have over 355 million people with discretionary spending powers of $10 billion as compared to just 26 million in 2005.
This means that you don’t just earn huge profits by selling your products in this country, but you also gain access to 300 million potential customers.
Overall, India is a consumer-driven economy with an increasing number of people who can afford high-quality products. So if you choose to trade in this market, your business will benefit from the country’s economic growth and become more successful over time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
You should be familiar with the terms of your franchise agreement. For example, you may have to pay an advance fee and regular monthly royalties in addition to handling sales, inventory and expenses. This means that you need a good understanding of the market before opening a franchise store. You can outsource the responsibilities related to operations and finances.
It is important to invest in an ecommerce website that should be mobile-friendly. You can make use of online tools such as PayPal so that customers are able to pay easily and safely for your products.
In addition, you can take advantage of marketing networks like Facebook ads or Google Ads to drive traffic towards your website.
It is important to conduct thorough research on the market before selling your products in India. You will need to know which consumers are most likely to buy your products, what their spending power is, and how they prefer to purchase items online or offline. You can do this by reading newspapers and magazines, visiting malls, talking to salespeople in retail stores, and conducting surveys with potential customers.
Selling digital products in India is similar to selling them anywhere else in the world. You can provide more value by talking about specific features of your product, providing customer support and constantly innovating on your content. You can partner with an IT outsourcing company to get access to talented software developers who understand the Indian market.
The products that sell most in India include apparel, processed food & beverages, automobiles, and consumer electronics. In the last two decades, digital products have also started selling well in India.
The typical customer for online stores in India is a young Indian who has an active social media presence, often with accounts on multiple platforms. He uses smartphones to both access the internet and order goods online. He prefers to purchase items that are not sold at brick-and-mortar stores and may be reluctant to buy from stores that have not gained his trust.
The market for selling physical goods in India is very large; hence you only need a little investment to start an online store or a brick-and-mortar shop. In addition, you can do market research by talking to potential customers, reading newspapers and magazines, visiting malls, and conducting surveys.