A survey says that over 82 per cent of offline retailers want to go digital, with the marketplace being the most preferred platform for sales.
Emphasising that Indian retailers are increasingly prioritising their online presence to stay relevant and competitive, a survey has revealed that over 82 per cent of offline retailers want to go digital, with the marketplace being the most preferred platform for sales.
In its Indian Retailer Survey, Zoho, a global technology company, emphasised that six out of ten micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) stated that they have adopted an omnichannel selling strategy, operating in both online and offline channels, with the majority (75 per cent) of them claiming this expands their reach and customer accessibility.
Around 68 per cent of retailers reported an equal revenue share from both retail channels. The report noted that despite the shift online, the physical retail experience still holds value. According to the survey, 71 per cent of businesses say customers shop in-person to touch and see products before buying. As per the retailers, personalised in-store service (66 per cent), and instant product access (59 per cent) are the other top reasons for consumers to prefer an in-store experience.
“Our study shows that embracing a seamless online and offline selling strategy, coupled with the adoption of the right tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance the buyer experience, is essential for growth and future-proofing a retail business. This shift requires a modern platform that is both intuitive for customers and agile for retailers,” highlighted Prashant Ganti, Vice President, Global Product Strategy, Finance and Operations Platform, Zoho.
The survey added that the Indian retail sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation, with 60 per cent of businesses planning to adopt AI and machine learning (ML) by 2030 to stay competitive, and 44 per cent betting on AI-powered personalisation to enhance the shopping experience for their customers.
Around 57 per cent of retailers identified faster delivery as the most critical customer demand, with over half of the online retailers seeing increased interest in same-day delivery. Businesses cite convenience (82 per cent) and competitive pricing (71 per cent) as top motivators for online shopping, the survey emphasised.
