Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

Rural E-Commerce – The Emerging Giant The rural population contributes $359 billion amounting to about 57per cent of the entirety of the retail market

By Jitender Singh

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Shutterstock.com

With the Retail market going through several upheavals in recent years, it is not surprising that the trends are shifting rapidly. The most noticeable trends in the last few years have been the advent of the internet and digital marketing as a whole. Even though internet penetration in rural India is at merely 18 per cent, researchers have forecasted that this number is likely to go up to 45 per cent by 2021. The implications of the trends moving towards the digital front are obvious – retailers have to adapt to the modern ways of marketing and make their products available online.

Although it may seem that the market is only now developing to include the rural areas, in reality, there are several e-commerce companies which have already set up their operations in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. These early birds have had the advantage of tapping into a largely unexplored market and what was discovered was rather surprising. A recent report by EY India revealed that there was a contribution of $359 billion by the rural population. This amounts to about 57per cent of the entirety of the retail market. With a whopping contribution like that, the growth of e-commerce in the rural sector is imminent.

Internet Penetration

2018 showed us that there were certain trends when it came to the rural e-commerce market. If retailers are successfully able to keep up with these trends, they will have the option of going forward with the times. The availability of the internet in rural areas has made it possible for customers to view multiple options, store items in wishlists, to view them later and many more such options. These services have made shopping online more convenient than going to an actual store. With all the emphasis being placed on customer satisfaction and convenience, it is not surprising that most retailers choose to make their products available online, so as to reach a larger audience. E-commerce businesses, thus, are doing better than traditional retailers. The shift in modes of income, from traditional agricultural activities to non-agricultural ones, has also contributed to the growth of e-commerce businesses in rural areas.

Technological Advancements

In order to keep up with the rising demand, rural e-commerce organizations have had to use the help of technology, like Artificial Intelligence (AI), to run the data. AI technology is used in order to predict consumer behaviour, predict upcoming trends and even manage queries which consumers may have. The introduction of this technology has helped facilitate e-commerce businesses. By 2020, a majority of customer interactions will be taken care by Artificial Intelligence. AI also aids consumers with purchase recommendations which are based on the purchase history of the customer.

Digital India

With two-thirds of India's population residing in rural areas, their migration to the internet is what will drive the digital wave in the country. It has been predicted that India's e-commerce industry can cross the size of $120 billion by 2020. Government initiatives, like Digital India, have helped e-commerce businesses expand their operations to the rural sectors. One of the benefits of an e-commerce business is the real-time transactions which take place. If the infrastructure is not developed in a way, so as to facilitate transportation of goods to rural areas, the movement to a digital platform will be futile. However, there is hope as there are multiple investments being made to build and strengthen the logistics of the rural e-commerce business.

In conclusion, we can say that there is a definite movement of the retail industry from the traditional to the digital. This change, led by rural e-commerce, has the potential to transform the economy to include a wider target audience. Although this is all hinged on the availability of internet in rural areas, seeing the kind of investments being made in the sector helps reassure one of its development in the near future.

Jitender Singh

Founder & Chief Executive Officer, MiniDukan

Mr Jitender Singh is the Founder and CEO of MiniDukan. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in New Delhi, MiniDukan is to the e-commerce business in rural India by empowering customers to buy a wide range of products at the click of a finger.
Mr Singh is a first generation entrepreneur with a work experience of over two decades. Prior to founding MiniDukan, he was the Founder and promoter at Starfin, one of the leading Banking correspondents to State Bank of India. Prior to founding Starfin India, he held the leadership position in Non-IATA, a global player in the development of innovative solutions for the travel and tourism industry. He has vast experience across leading B2B and B2C companies in sectors such as FMCG, Telecom, and Travel companies where he played an instrumental role in chartering channel sales across regions in India.
As an entrepreneur focused on problem-solving through innovation in technology, Mr Singh has paved his own path to excellence. His expertise ranges from fueling business growth, vendor retention, channel sales distribution, strategy, networking, and team management.Mr Singh is an alumnus of Delhi University. He is also a board member with Nysaa Retail Pvt Ltd which is the holding company of 1-India Family Mart, India’s fastest growing Value Retail Chain. Beyond Boardrooms, Jitender often indulges in cricket and explores new destinations.

News and Trends

How Gen-Zs and e-Commerce are Transforming Consumer Behavior in India's Festive Shopping

India's festive shopping culture is not only alive but thriving in this new digital age, blending tradition with modern consumer preferences and setting new benchmarks for what's possible in the e-commerce landscape.

Business News

Want to Start a Small Business? Here Are the Best States to Try (and the Ones to Avoid).

Plus, here's how many businesses closed in your state last year.

Business News

'Unfair and Unjust': JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon Says Federal Banking Regulations Are 'Hurting Companies'

Dimon said it is "time to fight back" against federal regulations at a conference on Monday.

Money & Finance

How to Become a Digital Nomad Without Wasting Money Abroad

Unlock the secrets to saving money and managing expenses as a digital nomad — from booking smart to avoiding hidden fees, these strategies will help you travel the world without breaking the bank.

Career

Personal Accountability Will Push You Forward and Help You Grow in Business and in Life — Here's How to Practice It

There is a startling lack of personal accountability today. Exercising personal accountability will push you forward both personally and professionally.