Retail sector in India is worth $850 billion. There are various formats in the retail sector — traditional retail stores, organized retail, e-commerce and direct selling.

E-commerce is the fastest growing format in retail — it grows by 25-30 per cent. Organized retail is expected to grow by 15-20 per cent. Direct selling grows by 10-15 per cent. The overall growth of the retail sector is 12 per cent per annum.

At present, the direct selling sector constitutes a mere 1 per cent of the total retail, and e-commerce estimates vary from 4 to 7 per cent. It means even now, almost 80 per cent of India’s total retail market consists of traditional stores and other formats such as network and catalogue marketing stores.

It is heartening to note that e-commerce has helped transform rural consumption. E-commerce adoption and delivery has expanded to almost 100 per cent of all pin codes in India. And 60 per cent of e-commerce transactions originate from tier-II and III cities and smaller towns, including rural India. Shoppers from these towns constitute nearly 50 per cent of all shoppers.

E-commerce ensures availability of wide range of products at competitive prices. It has fostered the growth of a new breed of entrepreneurs in rural areas.

E-commerce booms from metros to remote villages. Online shopping has become an integral part of consumer shopping experience.