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Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> took to LinkedIn and once again appealed people to turn towards <keyword id="6445679" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="cashless-transactions">cashless transactions</keyword>. 
 Since the announcement of <keyword id="3315394" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="demonetisation">demonetisation</keyword> on Nov 8, banks have been working overtime to provide new currency notes to people. However, the lines outside the banks and ATMs are getting bigger, providing no respite to the common man. 
 Finance Minister <keyword id="42575" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Arun-Jaitley">Arun Jaitley</keyword> has said the demonetisation effect will stay for at least one or two quarters. 
 
The demonetisation move wiped out 86% of the cash from India overnight as Rs 500 and Rs 1000 were announced as illegal tenders. 
Meanwhile, Modi appealed that large volume of liquid cash leads to corruption. 
 
"In 21st century India, there is no place for corruption. Corruption slows down growth and takes a toll on the dreams of the poor, neo-middle class and middle class," he wrote in an article posted on Linkedin.com. 
 
"Large volumes of liquid cash are a big source of corruption and black money," he said while referring to his "historic" decision on November 8 to scrap Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes with an aim of ending corruption and black money. 
 
He said all young men and women should inspire others to turn cashless and this will set the strong foundations of an India where there is no place for corruption and black money. 
 
"Today we live in an era of mobile banking and mobile wallets. Ordering food, buying and selling furniture, ordering a taxi...all of this and lot more is possible through your mobiles. Technology has brought speed and convenience in our lives," he added. 
 
Along with the article, he posted pictorial references to cashless options like credit cards. 
 
"I am sure most of you are using cards and e-wallets regularly but I thought I must share with you ways through which increased cashless transactions are possible," he said. 
 
Modi said the November 8 decision offered "a unique opportunity" for small traders, who have a central role in the economic transformation of India. 
 
"Today, our trading community has a historic chance to upgrade themselves and embrace more technology, which will bring greater prosperity," he said. 
 
He said when he made the announcement, he was aware that the people of India "will face inconvenience but I had requested the people of India to bear this short term pain for long term gain. I am happy to see that the people of India are bearing temporary difficulties for the long term gain of the nation." 
 
The Prime Minister said over the last few days, he had opportunities to travel to rural as well as urban areas in Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa and Punjab. "Wherever I went, I asked the people - should corruption and black money be eliminated? Should the poor, neo-middle and middle class get their due? The answer I got everywhere was a resounding yes!"

PM Modi vouches for cashless transactions, urges people to bear short term pain for long term gain

Ever since the RBI granted licenses to 11 companies to start payments banks in 2015 , we have seen three fully functioning, the latest one being Paytm. Vijay Sekhar Sharma, the founder, has recently raised 1.4 billion USD from <keyword id="163404" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Softbank">Softbank</keyword> and Alibaba. In a release addressed to media, Sharma said, “"RBI has given us an opportunity to create a new kind of banking model in the world. None of our deposits will be converted into risky assets." While <keyword id="6385180" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airtel-Payments-Bank">Airtel Payments Bank</keyword> offered free talktimes, Paytm Payments Bank defines itself as the first bank with zero online fees for any transaction, which includes virtual debit card, <keyword id="285745" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="NEFT">NEFT</keyword>, IMPS. The only things that would be charged are cheque books, demand draft and debit cards, which would be physical. In India, payments bank can collect deposits up to Rs 1 lakh, has to invest 75% of its deposits in government securities, can offer different payment solutions, but can't lend. This comes to the bigger question how would they make money? Shubhankar Bhattacharya, venture partner at Kae Capital told The Economic Times, “For starters, payments banks can't issue loans or credit cards, and are modelled to cover the cost of capital through transaction charges on their payment product. Therefore, payments banks need to find other avenues to improve the yield on the assets made available to them from their depositors.” "Payments banks are more likely to cross-sell services that are being offered on their platform," added Bhattacharya. “They need very high volume to start churning profits. Wallet was the game of boys. Payments banks is the game of men," <keyword id="3849285" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ashita-Aggarwal">Ashita Aggarwal</keyword>, head of marketing, SP Jain Institute of Management and Research told ET. The 11 entites, which were granted licenses last year, Tech Mahindra, Cholamandalam Investment and <keyword id="25455" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="finance">Finance</keyword> Company and a consortium of Dilip Shanghvi, IDFC Bank and <keyword id="3371770" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Telenor-Financial-Services">Telenor Financial Services</keyword> have already given up on the venture. It’s for us to wait and watch how Sharma makes Paytm Payments Bank successful like the mobile wallet.

How viable are payments banks in India?

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nyc_xmas/2192417716/in/photolist-4kJHps-4kEF74-92urD6-5Nfpy3-wXg7g-vzQfZ-et4g7N-5Mb4MV-7Q3z8-4fTRo1-esZTY8-5LPqgg-dEqhB1-esZWok-5M4Hmh-956uuW-qqynQH-9e4siG-7qkuna-et46nC-5Ng27b-5Nb4PX-5Nb8rD-5NbLfH-weQpL-qhtUd4-8AqZBn-4cNSh6-94mAHF-94myiH-8Z4KCf-aTVmJv-91ovJS-5NbLjF-94sdsP-7RWxm-b67y9g-94mF2t-7h5nf-4ggZ2G-dx57Br-aVG8Rz-7qdNaa-4fVbB2-b18FfK-at4QCb-4fTRnw-94pYCS-94pMSo-951e9H">Flickr/Jose and Roxanne</a>Presents under a Christmas tree.</div></div></div>FA Insights is a daily newsletter from Business Insider that delivers the top news and commentary for financial advisors.<a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/credit-cards/nerdwallet-transunion-holiday-spending-survey/">Americans are willing to take on debt to buy loved ones holiday gifts</a> (NerdWallet and TransUnion)A survey conducted by Harris Poll for NerdWallet and TransUnion found Americans plan to spend $338 on gifts for their partners this holiday season. According to the results, about one-third of Americans admitted to having taken on credit card debt in the past in order to buy gifts for their loved ones. "If you need to hold onto the debt for more than a month or two, look into getting a card with a 0% introductory APR period," NerdWallet credit card expert Sean McQuay said. The survey also found men are most likely to spend the largest amount of money on gifts for their significant others while women want to spend the most on their kids. Some tips for responsible holiday spending include setting a holiday budget with your loved one or buying a gift that both of you can enjoy together. <a href="http://www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/foodpricesindex/en/">World food prices are on the rise</a> (Food and Agricultural Organization) Global food prices rose 3.9% in October, according to the United Nations' food agency. Sugar prices climbed 17.2% month-over-month as rainy weather in Brazil delayed planting while dryness in India and other parts of Southeast Asia produced crop damage. Dairy prices jumped 9.4% amid concerns output would fall in New Zealand. Meat prices were little changed compared to September.<a href="http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20151104/FREE/151109971/senators-raise-red-flag-over-financial-risks-enlisted-military-face">Lawmakers want more financial protection for enlisted military</a> (Investment News)Last week, Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio and 19 other members of the Senate wrote a letter to Defense Secretary Ashton Carter voicing their concerns regarded the safety of enlisted military's finances and credit. Investment News says data recently released by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau showed 650 active-duty service members have filed complaints about their credit reports over the past three years. Less than 1% of active-duty members place their credit reports on Active Duty Alert before they are deployed, Investment News noted.<a href="http://www.thinkadvisor.com/2015/11/04/sec-gives-whistleblower-325000-award">The SEC rewarded a whistleblower</a> (Think Advisor)The Securities and Exchange Commission awarded a whistleblower $325,000 for giving a "detailed description of the misconduct" and identifying wrongdoers, leading to enforcement. According to Think Advisor, the whistleblower's reward would have been higher had they not waited until departing the firm to come forward. "Corporate insiders who become aware of securities law violations are encouraged to come forward without delay in order to prevent misconduct from continuing unabated while investors suffer more harm," Andrew Ceresney, director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement, said in a statement. Whistleblowers are eligible to receive between 10% and 30% of the money collected when sanctions exceed $1 million, Think Advisor says.The market thinks it's more likely than not the Fed will hike in DecemberThe market thinks a Fed rate hike could happen in December. Wednesday's House Financial Services testimony by Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen has the market believing, at least temporarily, there is a better chance than not that the Fed will raise interest rates in December. After beginning Wednesday at a 50-50 coin flip, the probability of a rate hike jumped to 58%, the highest level for any Fed meeting since 2007, according to CMT's Charlie Bilello. Yellen suggested December was a "live meeting" and the decision to raise rates would hang on improvement in the labor market and the Fed's belief whether inflation could reach its 2% target. Yellen also, however, suggested that negative interest rates were possible if the outlook worsened. <div class="margin-top"> <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/famous-last-words-of-men-in-history-bob-marley-beethoven-darwin-joe-dimaggio-marx-2015-10">Famous last words from history's most iconic men</a></h3> <div> <div> <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="9pcWM4eDpOp_Eb3f3_4r1ttaU4_gmVNq" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div> </div> </div> </div>

Americans are willing to go into credit card debt to buy holiday gifts for their loved ones

<ul><li>IPL is scheduled to start on April 9 and the final match will be held on May 30.</li><li>Disney+ Hotstar, on the other hand, has onboarded 10 sponsors so far for <keyword id="10884239" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="vivo-ipl-2021">VIVO IPL 2021</keyword>.</li></ul><keyword id="421566" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Star-Sports">Star Sports</keyword>, the official broadcaster of the VIVO IPL 2021 has roped in 18 sponsors and over 100 advertisers across multiple brand categories, days ahead of the commencement of the league. The 18 sponsors on-board for the 2021 edition are Dream11, Byju’s, Phone Pe, Just Dial, Upstox, Bingo, Kamla Pasand, Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), Frooti, Asian Paints, Thums Up, Vodafone-Idea, Mondelez, Amazon Prime, Groww, Cred, Garnier Men, and Havells. The categories of advertisers include Edtech, Fantasy Sports, Beverages, Pay Wallets, Home Décor, Auto, Telecom, Consumer Durables, FMCG, Financial Services amongst others. Speaking about the high interest from advertisers for VIVO IPL 2021, Anil Jayaraj, Executive Vice President, Star Sports said, “We are delighted with the response received from brands across categories. VIVO IPL on Star Sports has established itself as a marquee marketing platform, and the interest among advertisers has only grown with each passing year. We have been associating and providing sponsors with customized and innovative solutions that drive high impact and engagement.” Vivo IPL 2021 will broadcast LIVE on the Star Sports Network and stream on Disney+ Hotstar starting April 9th, 2021 from 7.30 pm onwards across multiple languages. Select Dugout will be back on Star Sports Select with legends providing cricket enthusiasts with an in-depth analysis of each match. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="81628669" title="Star Sports signs 14 sponsors for VIVO IPL 2021" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Star Sports has onboarded 18 sponsors and over 100 advertisers for VIVO IPL 2021

<table>
<tbody>
<tr valign="middle">
<td>This post was originally published on <a href="http://www.openforum.com/articles/how-to-break-culture-barriers-win-business-in-china-russia-india-and-brazil/">OPEN Forum.</a> </td>
<td><a href="http://www.openforum.com/"></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table><div class="image-container float_right" style="width:400px"><div class="image"></div>REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon</div>Small businesses are increasingly discovering incredible opportunities in emerging markets such as <keyword id="1334" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="China">China</keyword>, <keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>, <keyword id="6358826" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Russia">Russia</keyword> and <keyword id="6355226" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Brazil">Brazil</keyword>. Yet simple mistakes in communication often ruin otherwise win-win situations. 
Terri Morrison, who wrote the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Shake-Hands-Sales-Marketing/dp/0071714049/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1361395716&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=kiss+bow+or+shake+hands+sales+and+marketing" target="_blank">Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands</a> with Wayne A. Conaway, realized how many different cultural barriers existed when she began traveling for her work at a tech firm in Philadelphia. ”People from the United States are a bit naive when they think they can just sell to anybody and not actually have to like them,” Morrison tells us. In many places in the world, <keyword id="6355515" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Business">business</keyword> is about building a real relationship. To get some insight on how to approach specific markets abroad, Morrison shares some basic tips on how to develop relationships and close business deals in some of the biggest business hubs around the world. 
China
Traditional ways of doing business are still practiced in China, such as bowing slightly when greeting another person. When exchanging business cards, you should use two hands and format the cards in advance with Chinese on one side and your language on the opposite side. “If your [business] cards are in your wallet, do not keep your wallet in your back trouser pocket,” Morrison and Conaway write. “Men should place cards in a card holder, or in their wallet, and then put that in an inside pocket of their jacket, to ensure they never sit on them. Women can place business cards in their purse or briefcase, preferably in a card holder.”
1. Be prepared for tough negotiations. “Chinese executives test each other, looking for weaknesses, so of course they will use that approach with you. It is not meant to generate a permanently antagonistic relationship. It is just so you know where you both stand,” Morrison and Conaway write. 2. Build a relationship. In many countries (including the U.S.), you may develop a relationship after the completion of a contract, but the opposite may be true in China where a relationship is preferred before a contract can follow. This may also mean that it can take you longer to enter into a contract agreement when doing business in a country where you are a foreigner. After the contract is closed, you may also be expected to continue your relationship with your business counterparts. 3. Play the long game. Negotiations may be dragged out as long as possible, the authors write. To strategically stay on top of your game during the negotiation, Morrison and Conaway advise to “never give your Chinese counterparts too much information about your schedule. Keep your flight arrangements and any deadlines to yourself." 
Russia
Although being on time wasn't a habit in the old Soviet Union, modern Russians are leaning toward a prompt schedule. As a foreigner, you should arrive on time, but being 15 minutes late is still a common practice. Due to this, you should expect for the possibility that your appointment will end later than you originally scheduled.
You should also keep in mind that Russians are not altogether trusting of most forms of communication, including phones and emails, so you should expect to do a lot of one-on-one meetings.
When doing business in Russia, you should remember that “direct eye contact is key” and you should never “let your gaze waver.”
1. Be a mercantilist. Russians always believe that resources are limited, so in order for them to gain something, someone else has to lose. Furthermore, Russians can become very emotional during meetings and “walkouts may occur.” In these moments, it’s crucial that you remain calm and collected.
2. Share what’s new. Russians love technology, so allow them to get a glimpse of future concepts, but don’t expose too much of your research. 3. Make it a chess game. This game plays an important role in the Russian psyche, and “many political and business leaders have played and look at every negotiation as a game. And just like playing a game of chess, the Russians will decide to end negotiations suddenly if they feel there are ‘no further constructive moves.’
“Unexpectedly announcing their acceptance of the deal is another way the Russians exhibit control.”
India
If you’re doing business in India, “be ready to invest in frequent face-to-face meetings, and build long-term relationships in order to succeed,” the authors write. Also, you should be prepared to reveal some personal information about yourself, such as “your journey, your health, and your family” to build trust.
Although punctuality is not a traditional virtue in India, as a foreigner, you are expected to be on time when conducting business. Some businesspeople in India will still greet others with a namaste, which is when they “put the palms of their hands together in front of [their] chest, fingertips pointing upward. You may hold your fingertips just under your chin and bow your head slightly.” It’s frequently executed on both the arrival and departure.
Since physical contact is not as casual between different genders in India, some businessmen will shake other men’s hands, but refuse to do the same thing with women. When presenting business cards, you should remember to present and accept cards with your right hand as well.
1. Honor the hierarchy. When doing business in India, you should always try to meet with the most senior person, because “final decisions generally rest with one person” and “if you do not meet with this individual during your visit, you may not be near the final close,” Morrison and Conaway write.
2. Understand yes, no and patience. Since the word “no” is considered dismissive and insulting in India, it’s rarely said, and getting truthful answers from your business counterpart may be difficult. Instead of saying “no,” Indian businesspeople may say “That may be difficult” or “I’ll try” instead.
Furthermore, you must also understand how crucial patience is in every situation, the authors write, “because every negotiation is a personal, intuitive process” and even if this “pace may seem leisurely to you, you should never try to force a close.” 3. Know your totem and taboo. As the world’s most populous democracy, India also has various religions and belief systems integrated into its society. If you are doing business in India, you need to be aware of some of these guidelines, including never showing the sole of someone’s foot in an ad, understanding that the cow is sacred, never depicting a man and a woman alone in an ad and knowing that while Hindi is written left to right, there are other popular languages in India that are written right to left.
Brazil
When doing business in Brazil, you are expected to arrive on time, but your Brazilian business partners can be anywhere from 15 minutes to one hour late. You should also never refuse an invitation to dine. You should also note that Brazil is a culture that “communicates in close proximity,” therefore, those you do business with you may touch your arm, hand or shoulder during a normal conversation.
1. Learn the Jeito or Jeitinho Brasileiro. This basically means there are certain ways to do business in Brazil, and one way isn’t always followed thoroughly. Morrison and Conaway point out there are ways to “circumvent rules and regulations can be onerous.” 2. Prepare for nepotism. “Nepotism is considered an important obligation in Brazil” and “family loyalty is a duty,” meaning you should be extra careful dealing with anyone you meet, because you never know who is related. “The family is an exceedingly important institution in Brazil and is key to one’s position in society … and “you never want to ruin an entire network of prospects because of a confrontation with one member of the network.” 3. Recognize the indirect approach. Brazilians tend to suppress their real feelings and approach problems indirectly in order to protect the feelings of everyone involved, so the only way you’ll know if a Brazilian isn’t interested is by listening for subtle cues, such as statements like, “Just leave this with me,” “It is complicated,” or “I am not sure when we can meet.”
SEE MORE ON OPEN FORUM:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="http://www.openforum.com/articles/dangers-personality-tests-screen-workers/">3 Dangers of Using Personality Tests to Screen Workers &gt; </a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="http://www.openforum.com/articles/8-common-bad-habits-that-ruin-client-relationships/">8 Bad Habits That Destroy Client Relationships&gt;</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="http://www.openforum.com/articles/how-to-manage-all-of-your-essential-workplace-relationships/">4 Most Important Relationships You Need at Work &gt;</a>
</li>
</ul>

It's Time To Learn How To Behave In Emerging Markets

Everyone loves a brand new dress or a pair of sunglasses or the latest shoes that are up on sale. And while shopping is fun, there is a very thin line between healthy shopping and being a shopaholic. So, to help all the struggling <keyword id="161733" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shopaholics">shopaholics</keyword> out there, BI India comes out with five basic tips before they hit the stores! 
 
Decide the budget 
 
It isn’t for no reason that every government in the world comes out with its annual budget. Budget helps you plan your expenses and thus, allows you to put in a little thinking before shelling out all your money on those goodies out there. So, before you help out our staggering retailers to rake in the moolah, ensure your generosity doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket! 
 
Save a portion 
 
Once you have prepared your budget and fixed an amount for shopping, take the money out of your account and keep it someplace safe. The banks offer various saving options that can be used to make some saving before you decide to splurge in that store having your favourite bag on its display. 
 
Say no to <keyword id="6387037" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="credit-cards">credit cards</keyword> 
 Credit cards are a big no-no for shopaholics. While you may not be parting with your hard-earned money immediately, it certainly does hurt to see the long bills that come knocking on the doors at the end of the month. Instead, use the <keyword id="6354770" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Debit-cards">debit cards</keyword> that reside there in the wallet. Not only does it pay for your shopping, it also keeps a check on how much you have already spent by declining to pay anymore. 
 
Shop at the right places 
 
Wise men have always said that cut your coat according to your pocket. It basically means that you should remember how much you earn before you go shopping. Does your income allow you to shop at premium stores? Does street shopping suit your pocket than going to a mall? Ensure that you have a balance between branded and fashion junkies. 
 
Be the sales champion 
 
The festive season is around and every retailer has come out with attractive discounts. Go through every store to see which one offers the best discounts. It’s best to get over with a major chunk of shopping essentials while the sale is on than pay double later. 
 
Representational Image: Indiatimes.com

5 Money Tips
For Shopaholics

“Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it a meaning,” a famous quotes suggests. And in India, there is a huge controversy around this word and its various interpretations. The country’s history, architecture and literature are steeped in various allusions to love. But, this liberal outlook towards one of the most important human emotions died somewhere in the middle ages, here. Thereafter, our ancient tradition of love was highly suppressed and frowned upon. 
 
Thus, despite having our very own God of love, our youth fell back on a rather obscure martyrdom of a Christian saint from Rome to celebrate love. It was somewhere in the 1990s that Valentine’s Day began making an impression in India, before that hardly anyone celebrated it here. The rise of economic globalization, the birth of a new class of rich people and the emergence of satellite channels all contributed to the increasing popularity of Valentine’s Day in India. Later, with the advent of the new middle class and its growing buying power, it predictably became a refreshingly great marketing strategy and opportunity for many businesses. 
 
Today, we not only have a day to celebrate love, we have a whole Valentine’s Week, which has grown in to a multi-million dollar business in India. According to surveys the Associated Chambers of Commerce &amp; Industry of India(ASSOCHAM), the Valentine’s week, which had already become a Rs 12,000 crore business in 2011, swelled to Rs 15,000 crore in 2013, and it was pegged at Rs 18,000 crore in 2014. 
 
Why online shopping comes as a better option for Valentine’s Day? 
Just as consumerism was reaching an all-time high in India, growing Internet penetration gave Indian buyers a new option in shopping—the online store. This new retail market makes a better option for shoppers generally, and particularly on Valentine’s Day. While discounted rates, free home delivery and cash-on-delivery are major lures of online shopping, these are made even more attractive during Valentine’s Week with special offers. There is also the advantage of saving time and being able to shop from the convenience of your home. In fact, if you wish to give your partner something more intimate like lingerie, then you can shop for it online in your own private space, without feeling awkward in a physical store among real sales people. Moreover, you can surprise your partner by directly sending a gift-wrapped order to his/her address without any additional costs for delivery. 
 
Another important benefit of online shopping during Valentine’s Day is getting valuable shopping advice from other shoppers on shopping communities, said Mehul Jobanputra, CEO and co-founder of <a href="http://www.desidime.com/">DesiDime</a>, India’s largest shopping community. 
 
Trends expected in 2015 
With so many compensations on offer, it is little wonder that online shopping companies show a marked increase in sales during Valentine’s Day every year. This year too, certain industries are expected to see immense traction during Valentine’s Day benefitting both shoppers and industry stakeholders. Consequently, Mehul Jobanputra shares a few insights and analyzes the top 4 industries: 
 
1. <keyword id="2174941" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="gifting-industry">Gifting Industry</keyword> In 2015, shoppers can expect horizontal players like <keyword id="6354742" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Flipkart">Flipkart</keyword>, <keyword id="541988" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="SnapDeal">Snapdeal</keyword> to give around 50%-60% off on soft toys, upto 40% off on perfumes and around 60-70% off on sunglasses. Some of the gifting options preferred for men would be silver cufflinks, ties, wallets, key chains, perfumes, and sunglasses, while for women jewelry, cosmetics, soft toys, and flowers would make ideal gift options. 
 
Websites to visit for gifting items: Flipkart, <keyword id="6388367" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jabong">Jabong</keyword>, Snapdeal 
 
2. Intimate Apparel Industry 
More often than not, men, who want to give something more intimate like lingerie to their partners, feel embarrassed to shop for it in physical stores. However, online shopping solves this problem for them as the intimate apparel industry is growing in the online arena. Shoppers can expect discounts as high as 60-70% off on lingerie and nightwear during Valentine’s Day this year. 
 
Websites to visit: Zivame.com, Jabong.com, Prettysecrets.com, Myntra.com 
 
3. Personalized Gift Industry 
One of the best ways to make Valentine’s Day even more special is to give a personalized gift. Gifting personalized items has become a lot easier, as all you have to do is select an appealing design and a beautiful memory to go with your chosen present. Shoppers can expect upto 35% off on customized gifting options. 
 
Websites to visit- Printvenue.com, <a href="http://printland.in/" target="_blank">printland.in</a>, wishpicker.com 
 
4. Flower, Jewelry and Cosmetics Industry 
While shoppers can expect upto 25% off on cosmetics this year around Valentine’s Day, they can also expect around 35% off on jewelry. 
 
Websites to visit:FernsNPetals, CaratLane, BlueStone, <a href="http://nykaa.com/" target="_blank">nykaa.com</a> 
 
So, this Valentine’s Day shop more in a smart way. If you still want some last minute advice or quick heads up on where to find the hottest Valentine’s Day deals and discounts, then visit <a href="http://www.desidime.com/festivals/valentines-day">DesiDime.com</a> and other such websites—there you will find all Valentine offers aggregated on a single page. In addition to this, you will also get to interact with fellow online shoppers in real time. 
 
About the author: This article has been written by Vandana Baria, Content Marketing Specialist at DesiDime.com. 
 
(Image: Thinkstock)

Decoding
the science and business of love just ahead of V-Day

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Click <a href="http://e.businessinsider.com/join/ci/biiecommerceform">here</a> to sign up for E-Commerce Insider today, and <a href="http://e.businessinsider.com/join/ci/biiecommerceform">receive it every morning in your inbox</a>. 

CUSTOMERS WANT OMNICHANNEL: Results from a recent survey indicate that online shoppers want the option to also purchase from a retailer in-store. Ninety-five percent of consumers said they "frequently or occasionally shop" a retailer's website and store. More than three-fourths of respondents also said that they consider it "important" to be able to pick up online purchases in-store. The survey results are further evidence that consumers want flexibility of being able to buy the same items offline and online. (<a href="http://cfigroup.com/resources/industry-studies/retail2/omni-channel-insights-april-2014/">CFI Group</a>)
UPS PACKAGE DELIVERY VOLUME PICKS UP: The United Parcel Service saw daily volume of U.S. packages shipped increase 4.2% year-over-year in the first quarter, indicating that shopping is on the rise as well. UPS acknowledged that poor weather was still a factor - interrupting normal service during more than half of the days in the first quarter. The shipping service said it's investing $100 million in technology and services this year so that it can better handle peak shipping periods throughout the year. (<a href="http://www.internetretailer.com/2014/04/25/despite-bad-weather-ups-lifts-q1-package-volume-42">Internet Retailer</a>)
Grocery e-commerce company Blue Apron has raised $50 million at a $450 million valuation. The company announced last month that it is now serving 500,000 meals per month to subscribers. (<a href="http://techcrunch.com/2014/04/25/sources-blue-apron-cooks-up-50m-from-stripes-group-on-450m-valuation/?ncid=rss">TechCrunch</a>) 
WELCOME, E-COMMERCE INSIDERS: This is our new newsletter covering all things e-commerce. Please email <a href="mailto:csmith@businessinsider.com">csmith@businessinsider.com</a> with news and tips. Click <a href="http://e.businessinsider.com/join/ci/biiecommerceform">here</a> to sign up for E-Commerce Insider today, and <a href="http://e.businessinsider.com/join/ci/biiecommerceform">receive it every morning in your inbox</a>. 
FLIPKART EXPANDS SAME-DAY DELIVERY: Indian e-commerce company Flipkart now supports same-day delivery across all merchandise categories in 10 cities. The company is also piloting a "try and buy" program for men's and women's clothing. Flipkart announced last month that it reached $1 billion in annual sales, establishing itself as a market leader in the region. Offering same-day delivery for such a large customer base will likely make it even more difficult for Amazon and eBay to expand their businesses in India, as they've already had trouble doing so to-date. (<a href="http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/flipkart-to-offer-same-day-delivery-amid-rising-e-commerce-battle/articleshow/34305269.cms">Economic Times</a>)
PAYPAL AND QIKSERVE PARTNER FOR RESTAURANT ORDERING: UK-based Qikserve announced that its mobile ordering app can now be integrated into the PayPal app to allow customers to make PayPal payments at restaurants and other hospitality businesses, according to a <a href="http://www.qikserve.com/index.php/qikserve-now-integrated-with-paypal/">blog post</a> from the company. "Nobody likes queuing for a drink at the pub or waiting for the bill to arrive - especially when it's crowded. Our collaboration with QikServe ... can reduce customer waiting times and enhance their overall experience ... simply by using their smartphones," says Rob Harper, head of retail services at PayPal UK. <a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/restaurants-adoption-of-mobile-technology-could-spell-the-end-of-payments-terminals-2014-4" target="_blank">In a recent chart</a> we showed that restaurants are quickly adopting mobile technology and that apps like Qikserve could eventually eventually reduce the need for legacy payment terminals.
QUOTE OF THE DAY - Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz speaking about the company's success with mobile payments during the company's earnings call last week: "We've been approached by tech companies and national retailers as to whether or not we would consider licensing or white-labeling the Starbucks' mobile platform. Most of the national retailers did not invest ahead of the growth curve. They do not have the capability in-house at this point to really execute this and to fully understand it. Tech companies themselves obviously have the tech background [but] they do not have the interface on the physical side with the consumer to execute it. So we are in a very unique position having kind of solved, [the] chicken and egg problem of both, the digital technology and obviously the interface with the consumer." 
CORRECTION ON PAYPAL'S 'WEARABLE WALLET': PayPal is using the coffee shop located on its corporate campus as a test environment for a new payment method that uses beacons and wearable devices. The beacon detects when a customer enters the store, sending a push notification to the person's device (PayPal is only using Samsung devices for the test). The customer is then checked in and can tap their smartwatch to buy their coffee or redeem an offer. PayPal says it's a natural progression in <a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/beacons-revolutionary-mobile-technology-2013-12" target="_blank">beacon</a>-enabled payments.
A post from PayPal President David Marcus said the campus coffee shop where the new technology was being tested was a Starbucks, which created confusion over whether Starbucks might have been involved in PayPal's wearable wallet initiative. Last week E-commerce Insider reported erroneously that Starbucks was involved in the pilot. We reached out to PayPal and a spokesman confirmed there is no partnership, and that the on-campus coffee shop just happens to sell Starbucks-brand coffee. PayPal also edited <a href="https://www.paypal-community.com/t5/PayPal-Forward/Three-Trends-That-Might-Transform-the-Retail-Payments-Experience/ba-p/800878" target="_blank">the blog post</a>. We regret the error. 
Here's what else BI Intelligence subscribers are reading …
<a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/more-than-80-of-upper-income-us-teen-girls-use-instagram-2014-4">More Than 80% Of Upper-Income US Teen Girls Use Instagram</a>
<a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/amazon-posts-strong-revenues-but-faces-tough-competition-abroad-2014-4">Amazon Posts Strong Revenues But Faces Tough Competition Abroad</a>

Three-Fourths Of Consumers Say They Want The Option To Pick Up Online Purchases In-Store

With <keyword id="19899402" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital" source="keywords">digital</keyword> adoption fast gaining currency, <keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword> is likely to see <keyword id="19992513" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="retail" source="keywords">retail</keyword> <keyword id="19989657" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-payments" source="keywords">digital payments</keyword> double to USD 7 trillion by 2030 from current levels, a study by Kearney and <keyword id="19942875" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amazon-Pay" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Amazon Pay" meta.hostid="153" meta.entityid="Amazon Pay">Amazon Pay</keyword> said. In the report 'How Urban India Pays', Kearney-Amazon Pay said strong adoption of digital payments in <keyword id="21056201" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="online-purchases" source="keywords">online purchases</keyword> has potentially led to a permanent shift in consumer behaviours, fuelling offline adoption as well. While 90 per cent of the respondents of the survey preferred digital payments when making online purchases, affluent consumers lead the way with the highest Degree of Digital Payment Usage (DDPU), tending to use various modes of digital payment for 80 per cent of their transactions. "<keyword id="19955338" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="millennials" source="keywords">Millennials</keyword> and Gen X are leading in the adoption of all types of digital payment instruments," it said. "Men and women both use digital payments in about 72 per cent of their transactions, indicating gender parity." The research was based on an online survey of over 6,000 consumers along with more than 1,000 merchants through offline and online methods across 120 cities with representation from various regions, income groups, city categories, age brackets and genders. India has seen a surge in <keyword id="19990771" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="e-commerce" source="keywords">e-commerce</keyword>, with the market valued at USD 75 billion to USD 80 billion in 2022 and expected to grow at a 21 per cent CAGR until 2030. "In line with India's digital journey, retail digital payments have grown dramatically over the past five years - from USD 300 billion in FY18 to USD 3.6 trillion in FY24. By FY30, they are likely to double to USD 7 trillion," the report said. The Unified Payments Interface (<keyword id="19900911" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="UPI" source="keywords">UPI</keyword>) has been a key driver of this growth, demonstrating a CAGR of 138 per cent in its volumes during FY18-24. Other instruments such as cards and digital wallets are also gaining in popularity, contributing 10 per cent of digital transaction value today. "With such dynamic developments, it is no wonder that India is a global frontrunner in the digital payment landscape, accounting for a stellar 46 per cent of the global digital transaction volumes in 2022," it said. Digital payments have penetrated small towns, with respondents in these areas highlighting that 65 per cent of their transactions are digital, while respondents in larger cities cited this ratio to be 75 per cent. "There is a strong correlation between a city's average DDPU and its retail potential, as measured by the Kearney India Retail Index, with the top six metros displaying both high DDPU and high retail potential," the report said. DDPU surpasses retail potential in some cities such as Lucknow, Patna, Bhopal, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar, Indore, Ahmedabad and Pune, which have a high DDPU nearly matching that of larger metropolitan cities despite having a lower retail potential than the top six metros. The report said co-branded credit cards are gaining momentum. "Emerging methods such as buy now, pay later (BNPL), wearable payments and voice assistant-based payments are also starting to make inroads." Digital modes of payment constitute around 69 per cent of the total transaction volumes for the Indian merchants that were surveyed. Even street vendors such as paan shops, fruit and flower sellers, food stalls, and kirana stores are joining the digital payment brigade. "Challenges for merchant adoption mirror consumer concerns, emphasizing issues of financial fraud, limited connectivity and trust," it said. The report said the next wave of growth in digital payments will be fueled by increasing penetration in segments with lower DDPU, such as consumers in lower-income groups and smaller towns, along with enhancing the value of spending via digital modes of payment in the higher DDPU segments by addressing their concerns. "All key stakeholders across the digital payments' ecosystem, including payment providers, the government, and value-added services players, will need to play a part in expanding digital payment adoption," it said. The focus areas should be empowering communities with financial education by launching target programmes to boost awareness of digital payments and new methods such as UPI Lite and UPI Lite X, especially for aspiring consumer segments, women in small towns, and street commerce merchants, to encourage higher adoption. Also, there is a need to create user-friendly consumer journeys by streamlining documentation and know-your-customer (<keyword id="19910870" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="kyc" source="keywords">KYC</keyword>) processes, optimising user interfaces, and establishing responsive customer complaint resolution mechanisms, it said adding also there is a need to enhance digital infrastructure by addressing systems and network issues and exploring innovations such as UPI Lite X for areas with limited internet. Also, the risk of fraud has to be minimised and access to credit-based payment methods expanded by using alternate data for underwriting risk, developing innovative credit products and promoting credit education for financial health. "These areas can help India overcome challenges in the digital payment ecosystem by fostering a more inclusive, secure, and user-friendly environment, thereby enhancing the adoption of digital payments among consumers and merchants in India," it added.

India to see retail digital payments to double to USD 7 tn by 2030: Report

It’s that time of the year again. No, I’m not talking about Diwali, Durga Puja or even Dussehra. What I’m talking about is a much bigger festival than these three combined. It’s a festival which surprisingly makes the use of phones and laptops extremely mandatory. 
 
Yes, I’m talking about the festival of e-commerce sales<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=flipkart">. 
 
Flipkart</a>, <keyword id="18635" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Amazon">Amazon</keyword>, <keyword id="541988" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="SnapDeal">Snapdeal</keyword> and every other website which has managed to acquire a domain name in the big bad world of the internet have guaranteed that people look forward to these sales that happen primarily due to the festive season more than they look forward to the festive season itself. 
 
Thus, don’t be surprised if during this sale week, you spot people walking on a busy road looking at their phones probably sorting through the heaps of products on discount irrespective of the fact that they’re about to walk right into a tree or people who refuse to eat, drink or take a shower until their shopping cart is as full as someone who's just finished eating at a buffet. 
 <keyword id="6354742" type="COMPANY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Flipkart">Flipkart</keyword>’s Big Billion Days, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/BigBillionDay-is-it-Watch-out-for-Amazons-Great-Indian-festive-Sale/articleshow/49335947.cms">Amazon’s Great Indian Festive Sale</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/topic/SnapDeal">Snapdeal’s</a> Diwali sales reduce people to a version of themselves they wouldn’t want to curse their enemies with. This, despite the sales being similar to M. Night Shyamalan's movies- too much hype but very little matter. 
 
Let's take you through how this farce of a sale works. 
 
It starts out nice. You follow the aroma of discounts and end up staring at your laptop and even download the app in search of the discounted products that have been promised to you. 
 
What follows is thus- you find something you like at a price you think your wallet likes at a size that hugs your body just right and you ask yourself, is this what heaven looks like? 
 
But, a few minutes later calamity strikes. 
 
And as your eyes are stuck on the checkout page, hoping against hope that this is all but a dream, you receive the saddest message one could ever recieve- 
 
‘Sorry, the page is not responding’ 
 
Dread. Fear. Horror- these wash over you as you realize your worst nightmare has come true. You keep on refreshing the page, but the words still say the same. 
 
But, now you have some new information to digest... 
 
‘The product is out of stock.’ 
 
You’re gutted beyond words. But, you tell yourself that the disappointment called dating men has readied you for this very day. 
 
And, as you dry off your tears that start resembling River Nile, you start browsing once again with your head held high. 
 
Several thoughts run through your head- 
 
“Oh look! This product that I’ll never use is at 70% off. My god, that’s so cheap. We never know. I might someday be in need of it. 
 
*Add to cart*” 
 
“Yeah, I know I’ve been ranting about how Fastrack’s sunglasses are uncool and overpriced, but hey, they’re under 499! I don’t think it’ll hurt if I buy just one of those... 
 
*Add to cart*” 
 
This goes on until you manage to put an enormous number of products that could sustain an entire army in your cart and just as you’re about to checkout to a world of happiness, a very crucial moment (which comes free with two messages) arrives- 
 
Message 1: Delivery for the item(s) is not available in your pin-code. 
 
Message 2: We regret to inform you that your size is not in stock. 
 
You stare at the screen and decide that it’s enough. 
 
“These sales suck”, you tell yourself and log in to Twitter to diss them and rant to the world about how wronged you feel. 
 
And, in that moment, you realise you're not alone. 
 
Your timeline houses umpteen tweets about these websites cheating customers by marking up proices represented through angry words, videos and imagery. 
 
Then you chuckle to yourself – Sale or no sale, your bank balance still wouldn’t have been enough to afford even one-fourth of the items on your wishlist. 
 
“Joke’s on you Flipkart/Amazon/Snapdeal” 
 
And, the rest is history. 
 
 
Image credit: All India Bakchod

A day in the life of everyone trying to make the most of e-commerce sales

<ul><li>Snapdeal added 6 million new buyers on its platform during the pandemic.</li><li>Its recent 5-day sale kicked-off on October 16 and ended on October 20. </li><li>Rajnish Wahi, Senior Vice President, Snapdeal tells us some of the trends the platform saw during its pre-Diwali sale, its plan to go deeper into Bharat and USPs that helped it stand out in the clutter of online sales. </li></ul>Indian consumers have always been value-conscious, who take pride in their haggling skills and with the pandemic, buyers are expecting greater value for their spends. Therefore, e-commerce player Snapdeal’s sale, which took place between October 16 to 20, focused on offering ‘Kum Mein Dum Diwali,’ i.e., value deals for lesser money. According to Snapdeal, less than 5% percent of retail is online and during this on-going <keyword id="36208" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="festive-season">festive season</keyword>, the platform’s aim is to bring more users online and give them strong reasons to switch. Snapdeal observed that consumers weren’t willing to buy premium brands this year and wanted to access the online platforms in their regional language. So, as other e-commerce platforms offered premium brands at a discounted price, Snapdeal wanted to make online shopping more inclusive for buyers across India. It focused more on non-metro cities, which is a market with potential 400 million users and shipped orders to rural places like Palasner in Maharashtra, Abdasa in Gujarat, Kalsi in Uttarakhand, Chitkul in Himachal among many others. Ahead of the sale, Snapdeal added 1300 new pin codes to go deeper into Bharat, areas which were previously unserviceable or where users were compelled to travel to nearby towns to collect their orders. It also updated its user interface by adding eight languages including Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, Gujarati, Punjabi, and Marathi. As a result, 70% of its orders were received by sellers located beyond the top 5 metropolitan areas of the country and 90% of its orders were placed from non-metro cities. We caught up with Rajnish Wahi, Senior Vice President, Snapdeal to further understand some of trends that the platform saw during its sale. Excerpts: Q. The role of engagement and communication has never been more important, especially in today’s digital-first world. How are you making sure your communication during this year's sale is relevant to consumers? Snapdeal is sharply focused on catering to the value-conscious consumers, who see e-commerce as the connecting link between their aspirations, access and affordability. Our theme for this year’s festive sale - “Kum Mein Dum Diwali '' clearly communicates our core message - your shopping rupee has more value this year. As part of our sale preparations, we had conducted a survey of nearly 1.25 Lakh users and one of the key insights was user unwillingness to pay for brand premiums this year and instead focus on the functional value of their purchases. Based on these inputs, the festive assortment was expanded in a focused manner by on-boarding additional sellers for popular products like kitchen appliances, kitchenware, bed linen, apparel, footwear and fashion accessories like watches, wallets, etc. Shaping our sale offers around the clearly-stated expectations of our customers and conveying the same unambiguously through our festive promotions and digital marketing is the sum and substance of our festive communication. Q. This year is different. People have been observed to be judicious in spending. How has the consumer sentiment improved? While 2020 has been a volatile year, we see that there are many tailwinds that are propelling our business. The pandemic has resulted in redistribution of demand between offline and online channels, with online gaining share due to its inherent advantages of reach, convenience, large assortment and safety of buying from home. It has also accelerated the familiarity and acceptance of e-commerce amongst new buyers. With the pandemic, consumers have become more price conscious and are likely to opt for lesser-priced products, while not compromising on their quality expectations. Given all of this, we have seen two sets of buyers come on Snapdeal - one which is trading up to a better assortment and one that is trading down and opting for better functional value instead of big brands. In fact, we have added 6 million new buyers on our platform in the pandemic. We are witnessing the return of enthusiasm for festivities and it is also apparent that online channels will be a preferred medium for a larger number of buyers this year. But it will also be different this year, as more people will be price conscious and will look to spend on quality products that suit their price sensibilities. In a way, Snapdeal’s “Kum Me Dum” focus is about “offering more choices at price points better than last year”, especially for popular categories like home &amp; fashion, which has been made possible by year-long focus on expanding our value selection. Q. With the on-going festive season, many other platforms will have their Sales days too. How do you then cut the clutter and make sure you win consumers? How will you be different from the other players in the segment? Snapdeal is synonymous with value e-commerce. While others in the industry are now starting to build a value segment, we at Snapdeal have been focused on “only value” for the last three years. While other platforms are making efforts to sell branded items at discounted prices, these are still not affordable for a majority of the buyers in the country. On the other hand, we are focussed on bringing the depth and diversity of India's bazaars &amp; markets to the doorsteps of our users. On Snapdeal, buyers find endless varieties of regional and local brands that not only serve their needs, but also offer immense value at affordable prices. The result of our “Kum Mein Dum” Diwali sale bears testimony to this - more than 80% of Snapdeal’s Diwali shoppers chose to buy regional &amp; local brands on Snapdeal. The strong growth of lesser-known brands relative to national/international brands has been because of two key reasons: increased choice and a substantial price difference. Our value-focused positioning runs consistently through our selection and communication and is one the reasons why 90% of our orders flow from non-metros cities and towns across the country. Q. What are some of the other trends you are expecting to see this festive? Our first sales results are out and are reflective of how close the lives of users revolve around their homes. The sale in the home products category has grown by 30% over last year and has become the largest category on Snapdeal this year, overtaking the fashion category, which has traditionally been the top-performer at Snapdeal. The growth in the home category is propelled by popular products like kitchen appliances, kitchenware, bed &amp; bath,decor,cleaning equipment, lighting and comforters &amp; blankets etc. This growth in the fitness category reflects the extra time that people have on their hands and also underscores heightened awareness about personal health &amp; fitness. This category has grown by 45% over last year led by gym essentials like tummy trimmers, push-up bars, wrist supports, fitness gloves, hand grip strengtheners etc. Users buying sports equipment like badminton racquets &amp; cricket sets and weighing machines are also strong consumer trends. While the fashion category has also grown from previous years in terms of shipped units, the growth is less than other higher-performing categories. In the fashion category, there is an increased spending on kidswear in the festive season. . Among popular picks in Snapdeal’s Diwali sale are men’s &amp; women’s grooming products, nutritional supplements, religious items (prayer books, temples accessories etc). With the deterioration of air quality in North India, the sale of N95 masks, air-purifier filters, anti-pollution skincare items, skin moisturisers, lip balms has also increased. Snapdeal also witnessed an increase in gifting via e-commerce early in this festive season. The range of festivals starting with Karva Chauth and followed by Dhanteras, Diwali, Bhaiya Dooj and Chhath Puja have become important gifting occasions for users in various parts of the country. While in the previous years, shoppers used e-commerce channels to buy and ship to families &amp; friends in other cities, this year many shoppers in metro cities are also sending gifts to people living in the same cities. This year gift cards have also been hugely popular among people to send to their friends and family, with a 3X surge in orders as compared to the festive sale last year. These included gift cards of travel, entertainment, food and retail brands which were upto 30% off. Q. How are you working towards improving the overall consumer experience? E-Commerce in India has grown beyond the first 100 Mn largely urban, English-speaking users. A market of potentially 400 Mn users is now emerging across India’s smaller non-metro cities. This is a very diverse cohort in terms of languages spoken, literacy levels, frequency of online purchases and familiarity with technology. A large part of Snapdeal’s existing user base and new users come from this cohort and all our focus and efforts are on building the right experience that our users want. That means we work tirelessly to give them a wide array of products to choose from, and at just the right prices they are looking to spend. We also make it easy in many other ways for users to buy on Snapdeal. This includes providing interfaces on our app &amp; m-site in eight Indian languages, so that they can browse through products &amp; transact in a language of their choice. We also enable conversation with our customer service agents in multiple Indian languages. Transaction and promotional messages all are available in many Indian languages. Some other ways, in which we support our users to buy is by helping them make well-informed choices through short 10-second product videos which are far more captivating and help buyers to make decisions faster than static pictures of the products concerned, easy 7-days return, no questions asked refunds policy. We are the only platform that provides uninterrupted access to cash-on-delivery option even during the turbulent early days of pandemic lockdowns. Q. Which are your strongest markets currently? How are you planning to strengthen your presence in other markets? We have a strong pan India presence. During the current sale and consistent with Snapdeal’s positioning, more than 90% of Snapdeal’s orders were placed from non-metro cities. Populous cities like Nagpur, Vijayawada, Surat, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Visakhapatnam, Ranchi, Patna, Guwahati and others continued to drive orders on Snapdeal, but smaller cities like Sagar (Madhya Pradesh), Raniganj &amp; Durgapur (West Bengal), Patiala &amp; Gurdaspur (Punjab), Anand, Bharuch, Una, (Gujarat), Miryalaguda (Andhra Pradesh) and Bhimavaram (Telangana) also clock impressive order volumes. With our recent network expansion, Snapdeal has also shipped orders to rural places like Palasner in Maharashtra, Abdasa in Gujarat, Kalsi in Uttarakhand, Chitkul in Himachal amidst many others. Q. What are your current MAUs? More than 70 million users visit Snapdeal every month to browse and buy from our vast catalogue of 220 million plus listings. Q. What kind of target have you set for this year's sale? Do you anticipate people to buy more, considering a lot of people might have pushed buying things for the festive season? What kind of numbers do you aim to reach this year? Less than five percent of retail is online, which is an incredibly small penetration number. In our view, Diwali or not, our job to bring more buying options for our users doesn’t change. Diwali does serve as a milestone to accelerate some of our related initiatives or build virtual infrastructure to connect the dots between demand and supply in our country. This year, ahead of the festive season, we on-boarded additional sellers of popular products like kitchen appliances, kitchenware, bed linen, apparel, footwear and fashion accessories like watches, wallets, etc., as indicated by our users in a survey. In the run-up to Diwali, Snapdeal also on-boarded 5000 manufacturer-sellers who sell products like water purifiers, choppers &amp; blenders, steel &amp; copper utensils, crockery items, bedsheets, quilts, geysers, etc directly from their manufacturing units. This year, we knew more and more people would be buying online and ahead of the sale, and expanded our network to add 1300 new pin codes to go deeper into areas which were previously unserviceable or where users were compelled to travel to nearby towns to collect their orders, reaching out to 50 million additional users. Today, we are India's leading value-focused marketplace with more than 500,000 registered sellers and we cover 27000 + pin code areas across the length and breadth of the country.

Why Snapdeal targeted non-metro cities and rural India during its pre-Diwali sale

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The <keyword id="10716448" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Galaxy-Z-Flip-3" source="Orion">Galaxy Z Flip 3</keyword> is still expensive at $1,000, but it's a more viable option than previous foldables.</li><li>It's an excellent phone all around, except for the short battery life.</li><li>The screen is narrower than normal phones, and the need to unfold it is an extra step before you can use the phone.</li></ul>The star of the <a href="https://shop-links.co/1749646784108549193" target="_blank">Galaxy Z Flip 3</a>'s show isn't so much the phone itself, but its $1,000 price. That's still a large sum of money, but it's not out of the question. That's the price tag you'd expect on a super high-end phone, and it's "cheap" compared to previous foldable phones that cost around $1,500 or more. 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It's also an open gateway for people who were always curious about foldables, but couldn't justify their traditionally insane prices or questionable durability. <div type="image" title="1" msid="85584431" hostid="261"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Design" comment="subhead" text="Design">Design</cmsannotation> Perhaps it's my affinity for the retro cream color on our review unit, but the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is one gorgeous device, folded or unfolded. The metal frame's flat edges and the flat glass panels lend classic sophistication and maturity to the <a href="https://shop-links.co/1749646784108549193" target="_blank">Galaxy Z Flip 3</a> than phones with curvier designs. Folded up, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is no larger or thicker than an average men's folding wallet, and it feels like an unusually heavy wallet in pockets (unless your wallet has a coin purse full of coins). Unfolded, it looks no different to a normal phone, albeit one with a narrower screen than is typical. One of the <a href="https://shop-links.co/1749646784108549193" target="_blank">Galaxy Z Flip 3</a>'s party pieces is its hinge that can keep the phone folded and propped up at any angle. It brings a new kind of hands-free functionality that only Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip series offer, and it's great for video calls. It can even be used like a tripod for taking photos to eliminate hand wobble. So far, few apps support the Galaxy Z Flip 3's flexible functionality, but Samsung is working with app developers to get on board. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Displays" comment="subhead" text="Displays">Displays</cmsannotation> The main screen has the tallness of a 6.7-inch phone, but the width of a 6-inch phone. Seeing as most apps scroll vertically, the <a href="https://shop-links.co/1749646784108549193" target="_blank">Galaxy Z Flip 3</a> still feels like a larger phone, but content is more compact. You really feel the narrowness of the screen when you do things in horizontal mode. For example, videos look smaller than they do on a normal large-screen phone. You'll still find a crease where the screen folds that all foldable phones have. The crease is a non-issue — it's a bit like phone notches or camera cut-outs, which most people easily learn to ignore after a short while. The fact that the <a href="https://shop-links.co/1749646784108549193" target="_blank">Galaxy Z Flip 3</a>'s screen has 1080p resolution instead of the technically sharper 1440p resolution is also a non-issue. The screen's 120Hz refresh rate is a joy as always, as it makes scrolling and navigating around the phone ultra smooth. I would take a high refresh rate over a 1440p screen any day. Strangely, the screen is a dust magnet compared to phones with solid glass slabs, which is somewhat unsettling considering the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is not dust resistant. I haven't faced any issues with dust affecting the hinge mechanism, but I've only been using the phone for a couple weeks. While it's not officially dust resistant, Samsung says the hinge design is dust repellent. The company also says the screen is 80% more durable than previous foldables, thanks to improved protective layers. <div type="image" title="2" msid="85584463" hostid="261"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Performance" comment="subhead" text="Performance">Performance</cmsannotation> There's no need to dwell too much on performance. The <a href="https://shop-links.co/1749646784108549193" target="_blank">Galaxy Z Flip 3</a> runs on the powerful Snapdragon 888 processor that you'll find on other Android flagships in 2021, and it runs apps and games without much effort. The Snapdragon runs alongside 6GB of memory (RAM), which is less than what you'd find on many Android flagships, but I never noticed while using the phone. A standard benchmark test using Geekbench 5 reveals that the Galaxy Z Flip 3 performs exactly as expected, with a 1070 score for single-core performance, and 3350 for multi-core performance, which is right in line with the Galaxy S21 series with nearly identical hardware. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Cameras" comment="subhead" text="Cameras">Cameras</cmsannotation> The <a href="https://shop-links.co/1749646784108549193" target="_blank">Galaxy Z Flip 3</a> has a good set of cameras — one wide and one ultra-wide. While most will be happy with the photos the cameras take, they're typical Samsung cameras with over-eager HDR that flattens out dynamic lighting, and any greenery in photos all look one shade of green. Most people seem to like Samsung's cameras, so my criticism is a matter of personal preference. <div type="image" title="3" msid="85584487" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;A photo taken with the Galaxy Z Flip 3&amp;#39;s main camera&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> One of the things I love about the Galaxy Z Flip 3, and the flippable variety of foldable phones in general, is that you can take a selfie with the superior main cameras while using the cover screen as a viewfinder. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 has a dedicated selfie camera, but it's not as good as the main cameras. It's still good for taking quick selfies in social media apps, and for video calls. <div type="image" title="4" msid="85584495" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;A photo taken in low light with the Galaxy Z Flip 3&amp;#39;s ultra-wide camera&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> However, one thing I disliked is that I had to unfold the phone to take a photo of something in front of me, which makes for a fumbling and slow experience to capture something quickly. You could quickly point the cameras while the phone is folded to capture something at the spur of the moment, but you can't see the viewfinder unless you twist your head around to look at the cover screen viewfinder. It's an awkward experience. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Battery life" comment="subhead" text="Battery life">Battery life</cmsannotation> The <a href="https://shop-links.co/1749646784108549193" target="_blank">Galaxy Z Flip 3</a>'s small 3,300mAh means you'll likely be charging the phone at least once during your waking hours. I was charging the phone on a wireless charger a couple times a day for a top-up with my normal usage, which involves lots of screen time on social media apps, messaging apps, and video streaming. The majority of high-end phones I test can easily last a day with the same kind of usage without any concern. If I were travelling with the <a href="https://shop-links.co/1749646784108549193" target="_blank">Galaxy Z Flip 3</a>, I'd make sure to bring an external battery. <div type="image" title="5" msid="85584504" hostid="261"></div> The short battery life issue is compacted by the Galaxy Z Flip 3's comparatively slow 15W charging capacity. Faster charging could help make up for the lacking battery life by letting users get bigger charging bursts in a shorter time. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Using a flip-style foldable phone is different from using a normal phone. Here's what you should know" comment="subhead" text="Using a flip-style foldable phone is different from using a normal phone. Here's what you should know">Using a flip-style foldable phone is different from using a normal phone. Here's what you should know</cmsannotation> Unfolded, the <a href="https://shop-links.co/1749646784108549193" target="_blank">Galaxy Z Flip 3</a> works and feels just like a normal phone. But unfolding the phone to get to that normal experience adds an extra step before you can use the main screen. It's a tiny obstacle, but an obstacle nonetheless. Normal phones are ready to go the moment you pick them up or pull them out of your pocket. As a test, I carried around the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and a normal phone for several days, and I often found myself reaching for the normal phone because it was easier and quicker to pick up and use. I wanted to pull out the foldable, because it was new and shiny, but the pragmatic part of my brain usually took over and went with the normal phone. However, when I ditched the normal phone and carried around the Galaxy Z Flip 3 on its own, I wasn't too bothered by the need to unfold it. Interestingly, I found that the need to unfold the Galaxy Z Flip 3 has made me more aware of how often I mindlessly pick up my phone without any real intention. <div type="image" title="6" msid="85584512" hostid="261"></div> The biggest obstacle with using a foldable phone like the <a href="https://shop-links.co/1749646784108549193" target="_blank">Galaxy Z Flip 3</a> is if you only have one hand available, which makes it harder to unfold the phone. It might be rare that you don't have both your hands available, but it's noticeable when it happens. And it's not designed to be flipped open with your thumb like the Moto Razr 5G — it's a two-handed routine. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3?" comment="subhead" text="Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3?">Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3?</cmsannotation> The <a href="https://shop-links.co/1749646784108549193" target="_blank">Galaxy Z Flip 3</a> is the first foldable phone that isn't an outright "no" in terms of recommendations. It's the first foldable phone that's competitively priced, even if it's still expensive. It's also decently far removed from the first generation of foldables that had massive durability concerns. Still, it's not an absolute "yes" for everyone, either. Battery life is an issue, and the narrow screen might feel cramped for some. Not to mention, users would have to be comfortable with the extra step of unfolding the phone to use their apps. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="If you're really considering the Galaxy Z Flip 3, be aware of the following" comment="subhead" text="If you're really considering the Galaxy Z Flip 3, be aware of the following">If you're really considering the Galaxy Z Flip 3, be aware of the following</cmsannotation> Battery life is something you can manage, either with occasional top-up charges or with an external battery. What can't be managed is the cramped width of the main screen, and the extra step of unfolding the phone. If you're really into the idea of foldables, whether it's for its compact folded design, or just the look of it, and you think you can make these compromises, then go for it. <div type="image" title="7" msid="85584523" hostid="261"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="What are your alternatives?" comment="subhead" text="What are your alternatives?">What are your alternatives?</cmsannotation> The only other flip-style foldable that's worth consideration is Motorola's Moto Razr 5G. It's down to $1,000, so it's the same price as the <a href="https://shop-links.co/1749646784108549193" target="_blank">Galaxy Z Flip 3</a>. However, it's running on a lesser Snapdragon 765G processor. To be accurate, that's still a good processor, but the choice is clearly in the Galaxy Z Flip 3's favor with its more powerful Snapdragon 888 processor for the same price. Also, the Moto Razr 5G has a smaller 6.2-inch screen. There's also the $1,800 <a href="https://shop-links.co/1749647021865291749" target="_blank">Galaxy Fold 3</a>, but it's too expensive to recommend with a straight face. It's possible to get the price down to $1,000 on Samsung's website with eligible trade-ins, but the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is a different foldable animal altogether. For normal usage, the exterior screen is very cramped, and the main screen is cumbersomely large. It's ideal, however, if you've always wished you could carry around a compact tablet instead of a phone. Otherwise, if you're put off by the compromises needed to own a foldable phone at the moment, consider good ol' fashioned slab phones. Around the $1,000 price range in the Android family, we strongly recommend Samsung's <a href="https://shop-links.co/1749647049991778426" target="_blank">Galaxy S21</a> or <a href="https://shop-links.co/1749647089295090778" target="_blank">Galaxy S21 Plus</a>. For less money, absolutely go for Google's latest $450 Pixel 5a 5G, which has speedy performance and Google's class-leading flagship cameras. <div type="image" title="8" msid="85584543" hostid="261"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The bottom line" comment="subhead" text="The bottom line">The bottom line</cmsannotation> Foldable phones offer a big-screen experience in a phone that takes up half the space when not in use, which is nice. But there are still noteworthy trade-offs, like battery life, the need to unfold the screen, and more compact screens in general. The <a href="https://shop-links.co/1749646784108549193" target="_blank">Galaxy Z Flip 3</a> comes recommended if you've been waiting anxiously to buy a foldable phone, and you're willing to put up with those compromises. Pros: Sublime design, compact when folded, powerful flagship performance, least expensive foldable, good cameras, cover screen is useful Cons: Short battery life, slow charging, narrow screen, unfolding is an extra step, screen is a dust magnet This story was originally published on Insider by Antonio Villas-Boas. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/pre-book-galaxy-z-fold3-at-rs-142999-galaxy-z-flip3-at-rs-77999/articleshow/85366703.cms">Samsung announces Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3 prices in India, starting at ₹77,999</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/samsung-unveils-new-foldable-phones-galaxy-watch-4-series-and-galaxy-buds-2-wireless-earbuds/articleshow/85243394.cms">Samsung unveils new foldable phones, Galaxy Watch 4 series and Galaxy Buds 2 wireless earbuds</a>

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