eCommerce, Clearly

eCommerce, Clearly

By Core Commerce Labs LLPBusinessMarketing
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eCommerce, Clearly episodes

  • eCommerce, Clearly | Episode 14: India Isn’t Shopping More. It’s Shopping Differently.

    India isn't just shopping more. It's shopping differently.


    In Episode 14 of eCommerce, Clearly, I unpack what India's changing consumer behaviour means for ecommerce, D2C brands, online shopping, marketplaces and quick commerce.


    This episode is inspired by the FICCI–Deloitte report, "Consumer Trends IGNITEing Growth and Governance" (August 2026). Rather than simply summarising the report, I connect its consumer insights to everyday shopping behaviour—and to what I believe ecommerce brands need to prepare for next.


    We talk about:

    • Why consumers no longer think in terms of channels—and instead shop around their needs and missions
    • How quick commerce has changed our expectations around convenience and delivery
    • Why Indian consumers are moving from planned shopping to more frequent, need-based purchases
    • How Blinkit and other quick-commerce platforms are becoming discovery platforms, not just fulfilment channels
    • My own experience discovering Indian D2C body-care brand Nuede on Blinkit—and why I've had similar experiences with snack brands
    • Why food, beauty, personal care, health and wellness are moving rapidly online
    • How AI is changing product discovery, research and the beginning of the shopping journey
    • Why consumers are willing to use AI for recommendations but aren't quite ready to let AI make every purchase decision
    • What all of this means for D2C founders, ecommerce brands and retailers in India
    • Why the next generation of winning brands may be the ones that understand consumers—not simply the ones with the biggest budgets


    One of the biggest ideas from the episode is simple:

    Ecommerce isn't changing India anymore. India is changing ecommerce.


    As Indian consumers become more informed, less channel-loyal, more convenience-driven and increasingly AI-assisted, the way brands think about discovery, distribution, digital shelves and customer journeys has to change too.


    FICCI × Deloitte — Consumer Trends IGNITEing Growth and Governance, August 2026:



    eCommerce, Clearly is a podcast about ecommerce, D2C, marketplaces, quick commerce, consumer behaviour, digital retail and the trends shaping India's online commerce ecosystem.

    Hosted by Veddika Agrawaal.


    #ecommerce #ecommerceindia #quickcommerce #d2c #consumerbehaviour #onlineshopping #indianconsumer #ecommercetrends #digitalcommerce #AIshopping


    14 min
  • eCommerce, Clearly | Episode 13: The Ultimate Festive Sale Checklist for Amazon & D2C Sellers (2026 Guide)

    If you're an Amazon seller, D2C founder, marketplace manager or eCommerce operator, this is one episode you don't want to miss.


    In Episode 13 of eCommerce, Clearly, we break down the latest June 2026 Unicommerce Monthly Benchmarks Report and turn those insights into a practical festive season preparation guide for Indian eCommerce brands.

    Instead of simply discussing industry numbers, we focus on what every seller should do before the Independence Day, Raksha Bandhan, Onam, Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali sale season begins.

    In this episode, you'll learn:

    • What the latest June 2026 eCommerce benchmarks reveal about D2C and marketplace growth
    • Why prepaid orders are increasing and how to reduce RTO during festive sales
    • Inventory forecasting strategies to avoid stockouts
    • Pricing mistakes that can cost brands lakhs during sale events
    • Amazon deal submission deadlines and pricing safeguards
    • How to optimise your product listings with festive and category-specific keywords
    • Margin calculations every seller should complete before offering discounts
    • Marketplace and D2C marketing preparation tips
    • Customer support strategies to improve retention during peak season
    • Warehouse, operations and fulfilment checks before sale events
    • The complete festive season readiness checklist for Indian sellers

    Whether you sell on Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Meesho, Shopify, WooCommerce or your own D2C website, this episode will help you prepare your business—not just your discounts—for India's biggest shopping season.

    Resources mentioned in this episode:

    • Unicommerce Monthly eCommerce Benchmarks – June 2026 Report:
    June 2026 Monthly eCommerce Benchmarks Report


    Indian eCommerce, Amazon seller India, D2C India, festive sale checklist, Amazon festive sale preparation, Flipkart Big Billion Days preparation, Diwali sale planning, Independence Day sale, ecommerce operations, inventory planning, pricing strategy, Amazon deals, marketplace selling, warehouse management, product listing optimisation, RTO reduction, prepaid orders, customer returns, ecommerce podcast, Indian retail, online selling India, seller tips, ecommerce growth, Unicommerce, festive season strategy, seller operations, Shopify India, marketplace management

    eCommerce, Amazon, D2C, Retail, Business, Startups, Entrepreneurship, Marketplace, Shopify, India, Logistics, Operations, Marketing, Inventory, Pricing, Customer Experience

    14 min
  • eCommerce, Clearly | Episode 12: Why Quick Commerce is Becoming the Operating System for Beauty Brands | Redseer Brand Index Explained

    India's Beauty & Personal Care (BPC) market is projected to grow from $26 billion to $40 billion over the next five years, but the biggest story isn't market growth—it's how Quick Commerce is changing the rules of brand building. According to Redseer's latest Brand Index, Quick Commerce could account for 1 in every 10 beauty purchases by FY31, making Blinkit, Zepto and Swiggy Instamart some of the most important shelves in Indian retail.

    In Episode 12 of eCommerce, Clearly, I break down the Redseer Brand Index and explain what beauty founders, D2C brands, marketers and eCommerce operators can learn from it.

    Instead of simply summarising the report, we unpack the playbook behind the data:

    • Why Quick Commerce is becoming the operating system for beauty brands
    • Why replenishment categories outperform discovery categories
    • The importance of building a hero SKU before expanding your catalogue
    • How premium and masstige products are winning on Quick Commerce
    • Why channel-specific assortment matters more than ever
    • The difference between winning on marketplaces, D2C and Quick Commerce
    • The two routes to success: Digitally Native Brands vs Legacy Brands
    • How Quick Commerce is becoming a live innovation and testing platform

    Whether you're building a skincare brand, haircare company, cosmetics startup, FMCG business or simply interested in India's evolving eCommerce landscape, this episode will help you understand where the industry is heading and what brands need to do to stay ahead.

    Listen if you're interested in:

    • Beauty eCommerce in India
    • Quick Commerce Strategy
    • Blinkit, Zepto & Swiggy Instamart
    • D2C Brand Building
    • Beauty Brand Strategy
    • FMCG Growth
    • Consumer Behaviour
    • Omnichannel Commerce
    • Hero SKUs
    • Premiumisation
    • Indian Startup Ecosystem
    • eCommerce Growth Strategy


    Link to the mentioned report:

    • The Redseer Brand Index


    If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to follow eCommerce, Clearly for weekly deep dives into India's eCommerce, D2C, Quick Commerce and retail ecosystem.


    Quick Commerce, Beauty eCommerce India, Beauty Brand Strategy, Redseer Brand Index, Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, Beauty Industry India, D2C Beauty Brands, Hero SKU, Premiumisation, Consumer Behaviour, eCommerce Podcast, FMCG India, Omnichannel Retail, Beauty Startup, Indian eCommerce, Brand Building, Marketplace Strategy, Quick Commerce Strategy, Beauty Marketing, Retail Trends, eCommerce Clearly, Vedika Agrawal, EcomBeyondDropship.

    9 min
  • eCommerce, Clearly | Episode 11: India's Beauty & Personal Care Industry Explained | Market Trends, D2C Opportunities & The Future of Beauty Ecommerce

    India's Beauty & Personal Care (BPC) industry is projected to reach nearly $40 billion by 2030, but the biggest story isn't the market size—it's how consumer behaviour is reshaping the category.


    In this episode of eCommerce, Clearly, Vedika Agrawal breaks down the biggest trends transforming India's beauty industry. From the rise of concern-led skincare and texture-first haircare to fragrance wardrobing, quick commerce, and the shift towards highly specialised beauty brands, this episode explores where the next opportunities lie for founders, operators, investors, and ecommerce professionals.


    You'll learn:

    • Why India's beauty industry is evolving beyond generic products

    • The Specificity Curve and how beauty categories evolve

    • Why haircare could become the next big D2C opportunity

    • How fragrance is changing from a replacement purchase to a repeat purchase category

    • The role of ecommerce, creators and quick commerce in accelerating category growth

    • Key lessons for beauty founders and consumer brands

    This episode is based on EcomBeyondDropship's latest Beauty & Personal Care Deep Dive Report, where we analyse market sizing, consumer behaviour, unit economics, ecommerce channels, AI, quick commerce, brand strategy, and future opportunities across India's beauty ecosystem.


    📄 Download the complete Beauty & Personal Care Deep Dive Report:




    • Indian Beauty Industry
    • Beauty & Personal Care Market India
    • D2C Beauty Brands
    • Ecommerce Trends India
    • Haircare Industry
    • Skincare Industry
    • Fragrance Industry
    • Quick Commerce
    • Consumer Behaviour
    • Brand Strategy
    • Beauty Startups
    • Beauty Market Research
    • Ecommerce Strategy
    • Indian Startups
    • Retail Trends

    eCommerce, Clearly is a podcast by EcomBeyondDropship, where we simplify ecommerce, D2C, marketplaces, quick commerce, retail trends, consumer behaviour, AI, logistics, and business strategy through research-backed conversations.

    Whether you're a founder, marketer, operator, investor or simply curious about how commerce is evolving, every episode helps you understand what's happening—and why it matters.


    India Beauty Industry, Indian Beauty Market, Beauty Industry India 2026, Beauty Ecommerce, Beauty Market Trends India, D2C Beauty Brands, Beauty Startups India, Haircare Market India, Skincare Market India, Fragrance Market India, Quick Commerce Beauty, Beauty Consumer Behaviour, Ecommerce Trends India, Indian Retail Industry, Beauty Business, Consumer Brands, Nykaa, Tira, Purplle, Beauty & Personal Care Report, Beauty Industry Analysis, Indian Ecommerce Podcast, Ecommerce Clearly, EcomBeyondDropship.

    7 min
  • eCommerce, Clearly | Episode 10: The State of Indian eCommerce 2026 | Connecting the Dots Behind the Biggest Trends

    Is Indian eCommerce really being transformed by AI and quick commerce?

    Or is the real story something much bigger?

    In this episode of eCommerce, Clearly, we connect the dots behind the biggest developments shaping Indian eCommerce in 2026. Drawing insights from the latest industry reports, consumer behaviour studies and market analysis, we explore how changing customer expectations are influencing everything from quick commerce and logistics to retention, shopping behaviour and the future of D2C brands.

    Rather than looking at individual headlines, this episode uncovers the larger story behind India's rapidly evolving digital commerce ecosystem—and what founders, marketers, operators and eCommerce professionals should be paying attention to next.

    • Why quick commerce is becoming everyday infrastructure
    • How consumer expectations are reshaping Indian eCommerce
    • Why convenience is replacing platform loyalty
    • Why retention is becoming more valuable than acquisition
    • How logistics has become a competitive advantage
    • The next phase of competition across India's leading commerce platforms
    • Practical lessons for founders and D2C brands

    Whether you're building an online brand, working in eCommerce, investing in consumer startups or simply curious about where India's retail ecosystem is headed, this episode will help you understand the trends that truly matter.

    • ClickPost – India eCommerce Trends Report 2026
    https://www.clickpost.ai/india-e-commerce-trends-report-2026

    • Equirus Report (via ET Retail): Quick Commerce to Outpace Overall Digital Commerce Growth in 2026
    https://retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/e-commerce/e-tailing/quick-commerce-to-outpace-overall-digital-commerce-growth-in-2026-equirus-report/132235089

    • Meesho: One in Five Orders Now a Combo Purchase as Bharat Shoppers Buy Solutions Over Products
    https://retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/e-commerce/e-tailing/one-in-five-meesho-orders-now-a-combo-purchase-as-bharat-shoppers-buy-solutions-over-products/132405305

    • Amazon & Flipkart Spark Quick Commerce Price War as Blinkit & Instamart Hold the Line
    https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/amazon-flipkart-spark-quick-commerce-price-war-as-blinkit-instamart-hold-the-line/articleshow/132055705.cms

    • Retailers Seek Government Action Over Amazon & Flipkart's Quick Commerce Expansion
    https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/retailer-body-seeks-government-action-over-amazon-flipkarts-quick-commerce-push/articleshow/132242792.cms

    • Why an Amazon–Tata Quick Commerce Alliance Could Reshape the Market (Opinion)
    https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/et-commentary/put-both-eggs-in-one-basket-why-merging-amazon-and-tatas-quick-commerce-business-is-a-now-or-never-idea/articleshow/132244221.cms

    Indian eCommerce, Indian eCommerce 2026, eCommerce trends India, India retail trends, D2C India, Quick Commerce India, Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, Flipkart Minutes, Amazon India, Meesho, ClickPost India eCommerce Trends Report, Equirus Report, digital commerce India, consumer behaviour India, logistics, customer experience, retention marketing, marketplace trends, startup podcast, business podcast India, eCommerce podcast.

    #IndianEcommerce #Ecommerce #QuickCommerce #D2C #Retail #ConsumerBehavior #Startups #IndiaBusiness #Logistics #Marketplace #Blinkit #Zepto #Meesho #AmazonIndia #Flipkart #Founder #Entrepreneurship #DigitalCommerce #BusinessPodcast #EcommerceClearly


    12 min
  • eCommerce, Clearly | Episode 9: Fashion eCommerce in India – D2C, Myntra, Quick Commerce & The Future of Fashion Retail

    Is fashion really about selling clothes? Or is it actually about building better operations?


    In this episode of eCommerce, Clearly, Vedika Agrawal explores why fashion is one of the most operationally complex categories in ecommerce.


    It all started with a simple online order that turned into a lesson on customer support, returns, exchanges, warehousing and post-purchase experience. That experience led to the creation of the latest EBD Deep Dive: The Indian Fashion eCommerce Playbook.


    In this episode, we discuss:

    • Why fashion is one of the hardest ecommerce categories to operate
    • The real cost of returns and exchanges
    • Why operations matter more than marketing after checkout
    • How brands like The Souled Store, Snitch and Libas are building successful businesses
    • Myntra vs Meesho: Different marketplace strategies for different customers
    • Why fashion is entering the quick commerce era with initiatives like Myntra M-Now and emerging players such as ZILO
    • How dark stores and same-day delivery are changing inventory planning
    • Why D2C fashion brands are opening offline stores
    • The future of fashion ecommerce in India

    Whether you're building a D2C fashion brand, selling on marketplaces, working in ecommerce operations, or simply curious about where Indian retail is heading, this episode will help you understand the systems that power successful fashion businesses.


    📖 Read the full report: The Indian Fashion eCommerce Playbook


    👉 Report Link: https://www.ecombeyonddropship.com/deep-dives/indian-fashion-ecommerce-playbook-report


    If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to eCommerce, Clearly and follow Ecom Beyond Dropship (EBD) for practical insights into ecommerce, marketplaces, D2C, operations and digital commerce


    Fashion ecommerce, Indian fashion ecommerce, fashion retail India, D2C fashion brands, ecommerce operations, fashion operations, ecommerce warehouse, warehouse management, inventory management, returns and exchanges, reverse logistics, customer support, post-purchase experience, Myntra, Meesho, Myntra M-Now, quick commerce, fashion quick commerce, ZILO, dark stores, same day delivery, omnichannel retail, D2C brands India, ecommerce strategy, ecommerce podcast, Indian startups, ecommerce trends, fashion marketplaces, ecommerce logistics, retail technology, Ecom Beyond Dropship, eCommerce Clearly, Vedika Agrawal.

    6 min
  • eCommerce, Clearly | Episode 8: Inside India's Jewellery E-commerce Engine

    A few weeks ago, I ordered a piece of jewellery from GIVA.

    What I expected was a beautiful product.

    What I didn’t expect was a two-day delivery, OTP verification, seamless communication and an experience that felt remarkably similar to ordering from Amazon.

    That one purchase sent me down a rabbit hole.

    I spent the next few weeks studying India’s jewellery ecommerce industry—not from a marketing lens, but from an operator’s perspective.

    In this episode of eCommerce, Clearly, we reverse engineer how some of India’s leading jewellery brands, including GIVA, BlueStone, CaratLane, Candere and Palmonas, have built businesses around one of ecommerce’s hardest categories.

    We explore why jewellery is fundamentally different from most online categories, how brands build trust for high-value purchases, why omnichannel has become a competitive advantage, what happens behind the scenes after an order is placed, and why customer support, reverse logistics and fraud prevention are just as important as product design.

    More importantly, this episode asks a simple question:

    If you wanted to build a jewellery brand in India today, what could you learn from the companies already doing it well?

    Whether you’re a founder, ecommerce operator, marketplace seller, investor or simply curious about how modern commerce works, this episode is designed to help you think beyond marketing and understand the operating systems that power successful businesses.

    Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

    Topics Covered

    * The evolution of India’s jewellery ecommerce industry

    * GIVA’s category creation strategy

    * BlueStone’s trust-first omnichannel model

    * CaratLane’s omnichannel operating system

    * Candere’s digital-first approach

    * Palmonas and creator-led commerce

    * Jewellery logistics and fulfilment

    * Customer support and reverse logistics

    * Fraud prevention in high-value ecommerce

    * Operational moats in D2C brands

    * Lessons for founders building in the jewellery space

    📄 Research Report

    This episode is accompanied by the E-commerce Clearly Research Report #001: Inside India’s Jewellery E-commerce Engine.

    The report includes:

    • Detailed brand case studies

    • Market research

    • Operations and fulfilment breakdowns

    • Customer support and return policy analysis

    • Brand comparison frameworks

    • Founder playbook

    • Industry references and further reading

    📥 Download the report here:eCOMMERCE, CLEARLY · INDUSTRY REPORT #001

    References & Further Reading

    To produce this episode and the accompanying research report, I referred to a combination of company disclosures, annual reports, industry research and publicly available resources, including:

    * BlueStone Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP)

    * Titan Company Annual Reports

    * World Gold Council – India Gold Market Updates

    * IBEF – Indian Gems & Jewellery Industry

    * GJEPC (Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council)

    * Bain & Company – India Luxury Market Reports

    * Redseer Strategy Consultants – Ecommerce & Retail Research

    * Company websites and policy pages:

    * GIVA

    * BlueStone

    * CaratLane

    * Candere

    * Palmonas

    * Founder interviews and public discussions

    * Industry coverage from:

    * Economic Times

    * Inc42

    * YourStory

    * Forbes India

    * Mint

    About eCommerce, Clearly

    eCommerce, Clearly is a research-first podcast where we reverse engineer industries, business models and ecommerce ecosystems through an operator’s lens.

    Each episode is accompanied by a detailed research report to help founders, operators and ecommerce professionals go beyond the conversation.

    Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.



    To hear more, visit ecombeyonddropship.substack.com
    12 min
  • eCommerce, Clearly | Episode 7 : Indian E-commerce's Next Growth Engine: Beauty, Bharat & Retention

    In this episode, we break down three of the most important reports shaping Indian commerce in 2026:

    • Myntra’s End of Reason Sale (EORS) insights• GoKwik’s EOSS Checkout Intelligence Report• Flipkart’s Glam Up Annual Beauty Trends Report

    Together, these reports reveal a fascinating shift in Indian consumer behavior.

    We explore:

    ✅ Why Tier 2 and Tier 3 India are driving the next wave of e-commerce growth

    ✅ Why nearly 80% of sale orders now come from returning customers

    ✅ How retention is becoming more important than customer acquisition

    ✅ Why Beauty & Personal Care is emerging as one of India’s fastest-growing categories

    ✅ The rise of Gen Z shoppers and ingredient-conscious consumers

    ✅ Shopper personalities shaping the future of beauty commerce

    ✅ The concept of “PIN Code Beauty” and hyperlocal consumer needs

    ✅ What brands, founders, marketers and e-commerce operators should pay attention to over the next decade

    If you’re interested in e-commerce, D2C brands, retail trends, consumer behavior, marketplaces, beauty commerce, retention marketing or the future of Indian retail, this episode is for you.

    Referenced reports and articles are linked below for listeners who want to dive deeper into India’s evolving consumer landscape.

    #IndianEcommerce #D2C #ConsumerTrends #BeautyIndustry #Myntra #Flipkart #GoKwik #RetentionMarketing #GenZ #RetailTrends #Marketplace #EcommerceGrowth #IndianConsumers #BeautyCommerce #Tier2India

    SOURCES & FURTHER READING

    REPORTS

    * Flipkart Glam Up Annual Beauty Trends Report 2026(Primary report discussed in the episode) - Available on Flipkart Linkedin

    * GoKwik EOSS Checkout Intelligence Report 2026(Primary report discussed in the episode) - Available on GoKwik Website

    * How India Shops Online 2026Bain & Company + Flipkarthttps://www.bain.com/insights/how-india-shops-online-2026/

    ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

    MYNTRA EORS & TIER 2 / TIER 3 CONSUMPTION

    Myntra EORS Sees 30% Rise in New Shoppers; D2C Brands Log Strong Demand GrowthEconomic Timeshttps://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/fashion-/-cosmetics-/-jewellery/myntra-eors-sees-30-rise-in-new-shoppers-d2c-brands-log-strong-demand-growth/articleshow/131856860.cms

    Myntra’s EORS Records 1.3X Growth in New Customers; D2C Brands Record 40% GrowthBusiness News This Weekhttps://businessnewsthisweek.com/business/myntras-eors-records-1-3x-growth-in-new-customers-yoy-made-in-india-d2c-brands-record-40-percent-growth-in-demand/

    Myntra’s End of Reason Sale Sees 1.3X Jump in First-Time ShoppersImages Business of Fashionhttps://www.imagesbof.in/myntras-end-of-reason-sale-sees-1-3x-jump-in-first-time-shoppers-non-metros-lead-growth/

    Myntra EORS to Feature 15,000 Emerging Brands & 6 Million StylesBW Retail Worldhttps://bwretailworld.com/sector/e-commerce-marketplaces/myntra-eors-to-feature-15000-emerging-brands-6-mn-styles

    Tier II & III Cities Drive Nearly Half of Myntra’s International Brand DemandFortune Indiahttps://www.fortuneindia.com/business-news/tier-ii-and-iii-cities-drive-nearly-half-of-myntras-international-brand-demand/128922

    ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

    INDIAN BEAUTY INDUSTRY & FLIPKART INSIGHTS

    Why Beauty Could Become Flipkart’s Next Breakout CategoryEconomic Times Retailhttps://retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/e-commerce/e-tailing/beyond-fashion-and-electronics-why-beauty-could-become-flipkarts-next-breakout-category/131857547

    Flipkart Beauty Business Grows 50% YoY as Premium Skincare and Smaller Cities Drive DemandFortune Indiahttps://www.fortuneindia.com/business-news/flipkarts-beauty-business-grows-50-yoy-as-premium-skincare-and-smaller-cities-drive-demand/144057

    Gen Z and Non-Metro India Power Beauty GrowthTimes of Indiahttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/beauty/gen-z-and-non-metro-india-power-50-growth-on-beauty-e-commerce-platform-report/articleshow/131872239.cms

    Young Shoppers and Smaller Cities Boost Flipkart BeautyTimes of Indiahttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/young-shoppers-smaller-cities-boosts-growth-of-flipkart-beauty/articleshow/131861400.cms

    ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

    THE BIGGER BEAUTY BOOM

    Inside the Indian Beauty BoomVogue Businesshttps://www.vogue.com/article/inside-the-indian-beauty-boom

    L’Oréal to Acquire Majority Stake in InnovistReutershttps://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/loreal-acquire-majority-stake-indias-innovist-2026-06-18/

    ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

    INDIAN E-COMMERCE MACRO TRENDS

    E-commerce Sees 25% Growth in Q1 CY2026Economic Timeshttps://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/ecommerce-sees-25-growth-in-q1-cy2026-says-joint-report-by-flipkart-bain-co/articleshow/130149077.cms

    How India Shops Online 2026Bain & Companyhttps://www.bain.com/insights/how-india-shops-online-2026/



    To hear more, visit ecombeyonddropship.substack.com
    9 min
  • eCommerce, Clearly | Episode 6: Dark Patterns in eCommerce — Are Marketplaces Sacrificing Consumer Trust for Growth?

    In Episode 6 of eCommerce, Clearly, Vedika Agrawal explores one of the most important conversations shaping the future of digital commerce: dark patterns.

    Inspired by Datum Intelligence’s report “Dark Patterns in India’s Online Marketplaces: How 12 Platforms Shape 304 Million Consumers’ Choices, and What It Costs Them,” this episode examines how eCommerce, Quick Commerce, and Online Travel platforms influence consumer behaviour through design, pricing, subscriptions, urgency tactics, and checkout experiences.

    We discuss:

    • What dark patterns actually are and why they work• The difference between persuasion, conversion optimization, and manipulation• Why consumers continue using platforms they don’t fully trust• The Zepto case and India’s first dark-pattern penalty• The B-Index rankings and what they reveal about platform behaviour• The report’s estimate of an ₹80,000+ crore economic impact• Whether trust could become the next competitive advantage in digital commerce• The proposed framework for greater accountability and transparency

    This episode isn’t a walkthrough of the report. It’s a broader discussion on the relationship between growth, trust, consumer psychology, and the future of eCommerce.

    Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

    References & Further Reading

    Primary Report

    Datum Intelligence (2026)Dark Patterns in India’s Online Marketplaces: How 12 Platforms Shape 304 Million Consumers’ Choices, and What It Costs Them.

    Report discussed throughout this episode.

    Website:

    https://www.datumintell.com

    Articles Covering the Report

    The Indian Express“Indians lose up to ₹28,000 crore per year to dark patterns, says report”

    https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/indians-lose-28k-crore-dark-patterns-report-key-findings-10731768/

    Fortune India“Dark patterns cost Indian online shoppers up to ₹28,000 crore a year as regulatory scrutiny intensifies”

    https://www.fortuneindia.com/business-news/dark-patterns-cost-indian-online-shoppers-up-to-28000-crore-a-year-as-regulatory-scrutiny-intensifies/142164

    Business Standard“Dark patterns cost Indian online shoppers up to ₹28,000 crore a year: Study”

    https://www.business-standard.com/industry/news/dark-patterns-cost-indian-online-shoppers-up-to-28-000-cr-a-year-study-126060900878_1.html

    Angel One“Dark Patterns Cost Indian Online Consumers ₹25,000-₹28,000 Crore Annually: Datum Intelligence Report”

    https://www.angelone.in/news/economy/dark-patterns-cost-indian-online-consumers-25-000-28-000-crore-annually-datum-intelligence-report

    Related Reading

    Government of India – CCPA Dark Pattern Guidelines (2023)

    MediaNama“Amazon App Shows Dark Patterns Despite CCPA Filing”

    https://www.medianama.com/2026/04/223-amazon-self-declaration-dark-patterns-ccpa-india/

    Disclaimer

    This episode is an independent discussion and analysis inspired by publicly available research and reporting. Views expressed are personal interpretations and do not necessarily represent the views of Datum Intelligence or any of the platforms discussed.

    Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it.

    Keywords

    Dark Patterns, eCommerce, Quick Commerce, Consumer Trust, Marketplace Growth, Amazon India, Blinkit, Zepto, Flipkart, Nykaa, MakeMyTrip, Digital Commerce, Online Shopping, Consumer Behaviour, D2C, Marketplace Strategy, Growth Marketing, Conversion Optimization, Trust Economy, Digital Retail, India eCommerce

    Hashtags

    #eCommerceClearly #DarkPatterns #eCommerce #QuickCommerce #ConsumerTrust #MarketplaceGrowth #AmazonIndia #Blinkit #Zepto #D2C #DigitalCommerce #RetailTech #ConsumerBehaviour #GrowthMarketing #IndiaEcommerce



    To hear more, visit ecombeyonddropship.substack.com
    12 min
  • eCommerce, Clearly | Episode 5 : Decoding India's Commerce Boom: Flipkart, Zepto, Blinkit, B2B & Logistics Explained

    India’s e-commerce story is far from over.

    After reading ICICI Securities’ 350-page research report, “Decoding New-Age Tech in India”, I came away with a very different view of India’s digital commerce ecosystem.

    Like many people, I assumed the biggest story would be Amazon, AI or quick commerce.

    Instead, the report revealed something much bigger:

    ➡️ India still has nearly 1 billion internet users but only ~250-270 million online shoppers.

    ➡️ Flipkart appears to have built a stronger position in Indian e-commerce than many people realize.

    ➡️ Quick commerce is rapidly evolving beyond groceries and is becoming a new retail infrastructure layer.

    ➡️ India’s B2B commerce opportunity could be worth trillions of dollars and remains largely untapped.

    ➡️ Logistics consolidation is quietly reshaping the backbone of Indian commerce.

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    In this episode, we break down the most important insights from the report and discuss what they mean for:

    • E-commerce brands• D2C founders• Marketplace sellers• Logistics professionals• Retail operators• Startup founders• Investors• Commerce enthusiasts

    Topics covered:

    🛒 The future of e-commerce in India

    📦 Why Flipkart’s dominance surprised me

    ⚡ Blinkit, Zepto & the evolution of quick commerce

    🏭 The massive opportunity in B2B commerce

    🚚 Delhivery, Meesho and the changing logistics landscape

    📈 India’s next wave of digital commerce growth

    💳 UPI, ONDC and the infrastructure powering commerce

    🏙️ Tier 2 and Tier 3 India’s role in the next growth cycle

    If you’re interested in e-commerce, quick commerce, marketplaces, logistics, supply chains, retail innovation, D2C brands, ONDC, UPI, Indian startups or the future of commerce in India, this episode is for you.

    Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it.

    📖 Sources & Further Reading

    📄 ICICI Securities – Decoding New-Age Tech in India (Official Report)https://www.icicisecurities.com/decoding-new-age-tech-in-india-post-launch

    📢 ICICI Securities Report Launchhttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/icicidirect_decoding-new-age-tech-in-india-activity-7461309499585392641-YsZM

    📰 Economic Times: Flipkart Pulls Ahead – How India’s E-Commerce Giant is Winning Hearts and Cartshttps://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/retail/flipkart-pulls-ahead-how-indias-e-commerce-giant-is-winning-hearts-and-carts/articleshow/131177027.cms

    📊 Report Discussion & Key Takeawayshttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/prasanna-balachander-6b790a15_decoding-new-age-tech-in-india-activity-7461321588676886528-YlLA

    Keywords:

    India e-commerce, Indian retail, Flipkart market share, Amazon India, quick commerce India, Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, B2B commerce India, Udaan, Moglix, Infra Market, logistics India, Delhivery, Meesho, ONDC, UPI, Indian startups, D2C brands, supply chain, ecommerce podcast, retail podcast, commerce podcast India, digital commerce, marketplace business, ecommerce trends 2026, future of commerce India.



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    7 min

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eCommerce, Clearly is where I break down eCommerce reports, trends, and data — and explain what they actually mean for founders and operators.