As mobile Internet surfing outstrips desktop Web-usage, e-commerce sites are launching mobile applications (apps) to expand their reach.
While some like Yatra, Olx.in and eBay do have apps, other majors such as Snapdeal, Tradus and Myntra are eyeing launches in the segment.
According to StatCounter data released in 2012, mobiles accounted for 51.63 per cent of Web usage with desktop devices making up the remaining 48.37 per cent.
Market Feasibility
“2013 is a year where you will definitely see e-commerce platforms focus on mobility,” Sandeep Komaravelley, Head, Marketing and Alliances, SnapDeal.com told
According to some of the online retailers, orders through mobile phones or on WAP sites account for a miniscule of their total sales. The main problem comes in displaying the entire bouquet of offerings, considering the smaller screen size and limited bandwidth size.
However, Kunal Bajaj, an independent telecom analyst, says that despite these limitations, mobile phones — especially the penetration of smartphones — present a big opportunity for e-tailers.
“With the number of mobile Internet users surpassing desktop users, having a mobile app makes good sense for e-tailers. Moreover, impulse-buying too will see good offtake through mobile apps,” Bajaj adds.
Launches
Last year, Flipkart launched a Flyte app for the iOS (Apple’s operating system) and Android platforms. Flyte is the company’s online digital music store. (The app is available on Google Play and the iTunes.)
According to Komaravelley, Snapdeal too plans to launch an application for Android, Windows and iOS (Apple) platforms. It already has a WAP site (mobile site).
Online retailer FashionAndYou too has a mobile app on its priority list. Similarly, fashion portal Myntra too confirmed that it was eyeing an entry into the mobility space with an application.
“We do not have mobile apps yet, but will focus on launching them during the first quarter of 2013,” Mukesh Bansal, CEO and co-Founder, Myntra said. Tradus too confirmed that it was exploring the possibility of having mobile applications sometime in the near future but stopped short of giving a time-frame.