Opportunities for Importers In India: How Deep & Wide Does It Go?

India’s retail and eCommerce landscape is buzzing with opportunities, and one of the most exciting avenues for growth is product importing.

Whether you're a seasoned retailer or an eCommerce entrepreneur, tapping into international markets for product sourcing can unlock a world of possibilities.

The question is, just how wide and deep do these opportunities for Importing to India go? What do you make of it? Why should you bother?

Let's explore the various opportunities for importers in India, and break down some of the hottest product categories that are ripe for the picking.

Let's dive in and see why importing could be a game-changer for Indian businesses!

What Do Retailers and eCommerce Businesses in India Want?  

While your business is different from the next one, we can safely assume that there are a few global common needs for every retailer, wholesaler, distributor, eCommerce, and quick commerce business model.

Retailers, wholesalers, distributors, and eCommerce businesses only want a few things:

• High-quality products that are in demand
• Products sourced from reliable (also dependable) suppliers
• Products sourced at the lowest possible rate (be it from India or if you are importing to India from other countries)
• Huge variety of suppliers, products, and sources for products
• Lower costs of acquisition (or cost of manufacturing, if that's what you do)
• Lower costs of storing, warehousing, and inventory management.
• Liquidating inventory as soon as possible
• Higher profit margins

How you achieve all of the above, the methods you use to achieve them, and how long it takes to get there (and keep going) will depend on a thousand different factors.

For now, we'll let you figure it out (and we'll circle back to it later).

Making a case for Importing to India: The Big Why   

Before we get into the specifics of sourcing products, let’s take a step back and look at the big picture.

India’s growing consumer base (Including Tier-2-and Tier-3 towns), expanding middle class, the ever-growing affluent class, and increasing digital penetration are creating fertile ground for businesses to thrive.

The rise of online shopping (more on that below) has changed the game for importers, allowing them to cater to a wider audience through platforms like Amazon India, Flipkart, Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, and several independent eCommerce stores.

India’s economy is also becoming more open to foreign products, thanks to the liberalization of trade policies, reducing tariffs, and increased ease of doing business (India ranked 63rd in the World Bank's 2020 Ease of Doing Business Index).

All these factors contribute to an environment where importing goods into India is becoming more viable and profitable.

At the time of writing this, it's only the start of all things to come.

 ECommerce Growth In India  

India's eCommerce growth story is just beginning to take shape. Yet, the numbers are already impressive while dwarfing major economies.

 

Here are some ecommerce stats for India:

• According to Forbes, eCommerce revenue will reach INR 4,416.68 billion at the end of 2024.
• India's eCommerce, as a whole, is expected to grow at a healthy 11.5% to reach INR 7,591.84 by 2029.
• After investing almost  $11 billion, Amazon is expected to invested over $15 billion in India by 2031, increasing the company’s total investment in India across all its ventures to $26 billion.
• According to Economic Times, the quick commerce industry has seen sales surging by more than 280% over the last two years. The Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) increased from US $0.5 billion to US $ 3.3 Billion, the quick commerce segment expanded at a rate of 73% annual growth rate during FY 2023-24.
• The Quick Commerce Industry In India has a market size estimated at US $ 3.34 billion (2024) and is expected to touch a whopping US $ 9.95 Billion by the year 2029.

 

Technology, Knowledge, & Access 

There's nothing out there today that you can't possibly not know about --  Information at finger tips, borderless business opportunities, globalisation, access to both local and international markets.

You have the technology you need, and the tools to help you achieve what you set out to do.

From branding tools to websites (or ecommerce stores); from digital marketing to database access; from AI and machine learning to enhanced logistics or shipping.

Plus, add the availability of several modes of retail businesses such as niche eCommerce business models, B2B, DTC, B2C, quick commerce, dropshipping, reverse eCommerce and more.

What's your poison going to be?

Done-for-you Services  For Importing

Thankfully, at the time of writing this, you have plenty of options to make your life easier as a retailer, eCommerce seller, Amazon/Flipkart seller, wholesaler, or distributor.

With the likes of IndiaMart and many others available for you to source locally, you also have the likes of Alibaba and Aliexpress to help source products Internationally and import products to India.

You then have businesses like ours, at Befach International, who can help you import products and a lower landed cost while managing all the complexities that come with importing products from China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Europe, and other countries.

From helping you find the right products to Import to identifying suppliers; from zeroing-down on dependable suppliers to ordering your choice of products; from making payments to logistics -- we handle it all for you.

As such, right now, you have zero excuses.

If you'd like to try importing products to India, reach out to us using the form below or get in touch with us.