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Teleshopping market sees growth ahead
MUMBAI: Since the inception of television home shopping industry in India in the 90s, it has come a long way as compared to the time when the segment was associated with ‘magical’ products, impractical promises or dubbed English slots.
Players have modified content t better engage channels and introduce products at rates lower than market prices. HomeShop18, Shop CJ, Naaptol and TVC Skyshop account for almost 80 per cent of the market.
In 2015, actor Akshay Kumar and entrepreneur Raj Kundra also launched a home shopping channel, Best Deal TV, but in 2016 the company had temporarily suspended operations after seeing a drastic drop in the business after demonetisation. The cash-on-delivery business was negligible because of which the company was finding it difficult to meet internal expenses. Two big players merged this year – HomeShop18 and Shop CJ – showing how competitive the environment is getting.
While one may think the end of TV home shopping in India is certain, there is Prathem Bazar a TV shopping channel which also has a digital presence. Being bullish about the growth of the segment Prathem Bazar MD Ashutosh Bajpai feels that the market is growing and is expecting to break even within one or two years. An international launch is also on the cards.
Reports predict that teleshopping market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of around 13 per cent by 2023 in India, on account of increasing disposable income along with better discounts and offers in comparison to e-commerce websites. Moreover, expanding television penetration in rural areas and rising number of dedicated channels for teleshopping are further expected to aid the growth.
Besides selling on TV and home websites, some channels are already thinking m-commerce. The new entrant Prathem Bazar also plans to foray into Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam space.
A media professional said in a report that teleshopping has potential to grow even when e-commerce in the country is expanding by leaps and bounds. “Theoretically, one can argue that the rise in broadband penetration will challenge television commerce. But we have observed in mature markets like the US that both home-shopping and e-commerce have found their own space, complementing each other,” he said.
Zee Group was the first to have launched a home shopping TV channel in India in April 2004. Called Asian Sky Shop, the channel folded up a few years ago after the business ran into losses. According to reports in 2016, the company had announced the acquisition of two companies owned by Living Media India Ltd (also known as India Today Group) — Today Merchandise Pvt Ltd (TMPL) and Today Retail Network Pvt Ltd (TRNL) and with the acquisition, Zee was to relaunch Asian Sky Shop. The reason why Zee has the advantage over standalone home shopping broadcasters is that it doesn’t have to contend with high carriage fee.
According to industry estimates, the size of the home-shopping industry in India is around Rs 5,000-6,000 crore. Prathem Bazar has invested Rs 25-30 crore in building up his own TV channel and online segment. The channel has a tough space to break into with existing players having solidified their bases.
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.
