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Diwali lights the hearts of Online portals as sales spur
MUMBAI: The Diwali fervour is over and it’s time now to count the dough. The members of the Internet and Online Association (IOA), that was set up earlier this year, have led the way way with record sales in mobile handsets, diamond fashion jewelry earrings and handycams.
IOA today announced an achievement of a dramatic 345,000+ transactions with an aggregate value of Rs 530+ million for online sales this Diwali. The whopping increase in sales can be attributed to improved ecommerce sites, internal search facilities and targeted promotions.
IOA president Preeti Desai said, “The fact that the online channel is shifting from browsing to “order” has disrupted the Indian marketing universe and we clearly see two key trends impacting ecommerce growth rates – one a growing and maturing online shopper base due to increasing trust, supported by better shopping experience and great deals and secondly – Traditional marketers experimenting successfully with sales online. Its mandatory for the marketer to sharpen their multi-channel strategies, as the multi-channel shopper is estimated to spend two to three times the amount of single channel shoppers.”
Some interesting eCommerce statistics for Diwali 2004 are as follows:
Revenues have risen an almost 250 per cent as the sales were at Rs 210 million last year as compared to Rs 530+ million this year.
Nearly 2,30,000+ Indians made purchases online this Diwali across more than 3,45,000 transactions. The average transaction value was Rs 1535 and the average value per ecommerce shopper was Rs 2300.
Shoppers are still price conscious and practical – Their Diwali shopping ranged from as little at Rs 1 to as high as Rs 100,000.
At the category level, the leading favorites were consumer electronic products, mobile phones and accessories, jewelry and watches, apparel and gift certificates.
Consumers also bought big-ticket items and the sheer diversity of the gifts purchased is an eye opener with products ranging from home theatre systems, microwaves, crackers and digicams to special Diwali hampers and sweet-meats like dry-fruits, diyas, silver coins, diamond jewelry and the Discover Knowledge series.
Across various member sites the most active online shopping days were 8- 9 November, which saw a dramatic surge in transactions. Commendably 8 November being a Monday was one of the busiest days which is a sharp contrast to the rest of the year as traditionally Monday is a weak day for online transactions.
Recorded Ecommerce high points were between noon and 3 pm, during employee lunch breaks.
This year most retailers were expecting a high double-digit increase over last year… as they were better prepared not only with promotions, consumer (buying) patterns, but also with complete control over fast responsiveness to customer inquiries, to fulfillment and express delivery.
More revenue is seen to come in from repeat buyers and the e-tailers are beginning to realize the “fruits of their labor” in the form of increased customer loyalty, as seen this season,
Six million unique online visitor sessions were recorded during 8 – 12 November with an average session time of 8.7 mins!!
Interestingly, not only have the known shopping sites benefited from the increase in festival online shopping, businessmen and women from all across the country have scored!
IOA members also report that online shoppers are increasingly coming from all walks of life. Less than 22 per cent of this year’s online Diwali purchasers were female, and slightly more than 76 per cent are between 25-45 years of age.
Diwali is also a time when the light Internet users often make their first online purchase and many of these new online buyers are early adopters who are attending college and have their first credit cards.
The IOA reported that the most valuable Internet segment was the ‘At-Work Audience’.
Branded products have done a lot better than expected and this year will be better remembered by the strong presence of many traditional offline brands like the following:
Consumer Electronics – Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Onida, Phillips, IFB, Pioneer, Kodak;
Jewelry, watches & luxury products – Titan, Swatch, Timex, Casio, Citizen, Tanishq
Mobile Handsets & Accessories – Nokia, Samsung, LG, Motorola
Apparel – Arrow, Wranglers, Lee, Excalibur, Louis Phillips, Allen Solly
Gift Certificates – Sodexho, Wills Lifestyle, The Raymond Shop, Big Bazaar, Louis Phillips, Allen Solly, Peter England, Pantaloons
Computers & Peripherals – HP, Samsung, LG, Zenith,
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
