It really is ‘May Day’ for Myntra on May 1!

Off late, many of us have picked up the trend to shop online; it not only saves money but also gives us a plethora of choices to explore. If you’re one such shopaholic, it’s time for you to get a fast Internet-enabled smartphone as eCommerce players might soon shut their desktop stores. A recent Eco0nomic Times report revealed that Myntra, a Flipkart acquired popular fashion e-tailer, will shut down its website on May 1 and concentrate only on mobile app-based transactions.

The Bengaluru-headquartered eCommerce company has decided to transform into a mobile-only entity considering the fact that most of the customers make their purchase only through their smartphones. Earlier, we had reported that Myntra’s web platform may be phased out by the end of this year. If this move by the company goes well, even Flipkart is likely to be following the same suit.

Both Flipkart and Myntra have already stopped their mobile websites from directing visitors to their respective apps. While there is no official confirmation on the same; sources have told the ET that Myntra is planning a 360-degree advertising and marketing campaign to announce its app-only presence going forward.
Myntra seems to have planned this move seeing the terrific surge in smartphone traffic and number of online shoppers in India, which is expected to increase from 9% in 2013 to 36% in 2020, primarily led by mobile users. As per the ET report, Myntra draws as much as 80% of its traffic and 70% of sales from its mobile app. Flipkart, too, registers more than 60% of sales through its app at present.

Seeing the trend, over the past year or so younger startups have begun operations as mobile-only platforms, a shift from the concept of mobile-first adopted by the first wave on tech companies, according to the financial daily. The Internet & Mobile Association of India estimates that total Internet users amounted to over 300 million in December 2014, with close to 60% via a mobile connection.