Shy Indians who can't ask for condoms at a store are buying it online

• Snapdeal has said that 56% of its sale of condoms comes from tier 3 cities and beyond.
• Majority of the orders have been in ‘bulk’, which the company defines as packs of ten.
• In India, the government had banned condom ads on Indian television from 10 am to 6 pm.

Remember the ad running on national television Indians were shown to be shy to even say ‘condom’ loudly, and went on to say that there’s nothing to be ashamed of while using a condom?

Condom ads are banned on Indian television from 10 am to 6 pm. So in a country, where it is still believed that condom ads could ruin a child’s innocence, how do Indians in smaller cities walk up to stores to buy them? Apparently they just they buy them online!

India’s third largest e-commerce company Snapdeal has shared insights to say that 56% of its sale of condoms comes from tier-3 cities and beyond.

The orders came in from cities like Imphal, Moga, Aizwal, Agartala, Ernakulam, Malapuram, Shillong, Silchar, Udaipur, Hissar, Nagaon, Bardhaman, Dibrugarh, Kanpur, and Ahmednagar – with majority of them being bulk orders, which the company defines as packs of ten, according to the spokesperson.

“Considering the continuing hesitation around the subject of sex and its education, people are still reluctant to purchase condoms from a store. Online marketplaces have become a go-to place as it provides discreet and hassle-free purchase, which has led to increasing volumes,” a Snapdeal spokesperson said.

The e-commerce site was also running special offers on condoms for National World Aids Day. Snapdeal also said that there has been a 30% increase in the sale of condoms driven by demand from non-metros.

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