Gift your business a tech platform!

The age old tradition of gifting is the simplest way of expressing friendship and affection, and in some cultures it even takes on a religious context. Whether it is for something as simple as the onset of spring, a deep-rooted belief in the victory of good over evil or the celebration of a sister’s love for her brother, India is bathed in festivities all year round and surrounded by gifts and warm wishes. 

However, gone are the days when only birthdays, anniversaries and festivals were occasions which people used to eagerly await, to shower their loved ones with surprises and gifts. Times have changed and so have the types of gifts and gifting styles. Personal gifting is on the rise and an ever-higher number of occasions are being added to the tally which includes Valentine’s Day, Father’s day and Mother’s day, among a long list.

The gifting market in India is estimated at around $ 30 Billion, of which only around $ 400 Million is online. The $ 30 Billion is split into 3 broad categories – personal gifting is worth $ 20 Billion, festival gifting comprises $ 7.5 Billion, and corporate gifting holds a share of $ 2.5 Billion.

Consumers today want a touch of style, uniqueness and personalisation in their gifts, to match their status. This demand has been leveraged highly by online gifting portals like giftease, giveter, indiangiftsportal, etc. and large e-commerce companies like Amazon and Flipkart. Most offline players like Ferns n Petals, Nature’s Basket, Foodhall, etc. have also started widening their online presence.

From fashion, beauty, lifestyle, décor, well-planned outdoor trips – you name them and you can spot them online. The offerings on these websites also include bakery products, assorted chocolates, confectionery, dry fruits, sweets and wine, apart from other categories.

The evolution of the Indian customer has played a key role in bringing about this change, as this customer has both the willingness and the ability to pay for innovative products. The surge in economic growth, rising disposable incomes and aspirations, increasing exposure to global trends and long distance gifting are some of the factors bringing about this shift towards premium upgrades and online gifting.

India has a rapidly growing market for home décor which is expected to reach $ 5.29 Billion. Growing at rate of 15%, the handicrafts gifting industry has also reached $ 1.9 Billion in the last decade while the houseware market is growing at a steady rate of 30 % p.a. The demand for electronics in the Indian market is projected to rise to $ 125 Billion over the next two years.

Given the general paucity of time, the role of e-commerce will gain more prominence in the future, uprooting traditional gift vendors completely. Their sale has already lowered drastically with the rise in online buying, given its huge time and cost benefits.

It’s high time such vendors save their business and expand it too, by going online and tying up with a tech platform like Clappily. Clappily is a party planning marketplace for merchants and consumers, available on Android and iOS. The app becomes a single destination for varied party needs that customers may have, gifting being an increasingly important part of the mix.

Unlike other e-commerce and tech platforms, Clappily gives the right to refuse any order to its merchants. Merchants tied up with Clappily can save on marketing costs and can keep the maximum share of the revenue with themselves. The app charges a nominal fee of 15 % of the sale for the tie-up and service.

Unorganised gift vendors can definitely capitalise on such a marketplace app and increase their reach manifold.You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Combine tradition with technology and grow your business

Be it any culture or region, henna is probably the most important part of any Indian wedding or festival. It takes top priority not just for the aesthetic value, but also for the traditional thoughts and beliefs attached to it. Henna is considered auspicious and is applied for good luck. It signifies holiness.

Today, the Mehendi ceremony has become much fancier than it used to be a few years back. Brides like to dress up, enjoy with friends and family and don’t mind going overboard to get the best henna artists for the most intricate design. In fact, some even have a special photo shoot for their Mehendi ceremony.

The tradition of henna application is not only limited to wedding ceremonies, but women like to flaunt this traditional beauty on many festivals like Karva Chauth, Diwali, Teej and Eid which has grown the industry size to $ 1.5 Billion.

With the growing henna trend, the application and forms have also taken a modern twist. There are different types of henna applications like the white henna, shaded henna, net design, floral henna, glitter, sticker, diamond and the elaborate portrait form.

Artists easily make at least $ 500 from an average Indian wedding. The pricing is totally based on the experience of the artist plus the artwork they are offering. Such prices don’t baffle most customers, what concerns customers is the quality of the work that they shall be offered.

However, the cut-throat competition leaves many artists in a dry state as there are hundreds of home-based henna artists as well who only get the work when their popularity is spread through word of mouth. Such artists can get both recognition and work if they tie up with a tech platform like Clappily. Clappily is a marketplace that brings together merchants and consumers, available on Android and iOS. The app becomes a single destination for varied party needs that customers may have, henna art being an increasingly important part of the mix.

If one has the quality to offer, getting customers is no big deal once tied up with Clappily.

When the customer books a henna artist, he/she is informed about the same and they can directly meet. While majority share of the revenue remains with the merchant, the app charges a nominal fee for the tie-up and service.

Unorganised henna artists can definitely capitalise on such a marketplace app and increase their reach manifold. This is going to open new avenues, as henna art is quite popular across India.You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Fashion is a serious business, grow it with a tech platform

A party or an event is incomplete till the hosts and guests aren’t picture-ready. Both, the hosts and guests start preparing a month in advance to look their best on a wedding, birthday party or any other important occasion.

With growing disposable income, exposure to global fashion trends and entrance of high-end foreign brands in the country, the huge middle class of the country has started spending more on apparel. This has made the fashion industry worth a whopping $ 46 Billion.

Today’s well-informed kids too are gearing up with the rising fashion trends. Due to higher penetration of media, they have increasingly started contributing in purchase decisions. The kidswear segment is one of the fastest growing segments in the Indian apparel market and is estimated to hold a market share of $ 10.1 Billion which amounts to 20 per cent of the total apparel market of the country.

With the rising trend of themed birthday parties, the demand for fancy costumes has also increased and most people prefer renting costumes rather than buying for a single occasion.

Even men and women have started drifting towards the rental market rather than spending thousands on expensive designer outfits which will be relegated to a corner of the cupboard after being used once.

In an age when social media captures everything, no one wants to be seen repeating outfits. This growing mentality has given rise to many fashion rental startups and the market size is estimated to be around $ 5 Billion.

The growing fashion urgency has led to the mushrooming of many startups in India which have benefitted customers hugely but petty tailors and boutiques who have the skill and expertise, but not many connections, are left behind.

The online market and big brands have hugely impacted such small fashion outlets who are not able to capture a bigger market. However, small businesses can get both recognition and work if they tie up with a tech platform such as Clappily. Clappily is a marketplace for both merchants and consumers, which is available on Android and iOS. The app becomes a single destination for varied party needs that customers may have, fashion being an increasingly important part of the mix.

When a customer orders a dress/costume from the products uploaded on the dashboard, the vendor/tailor is informed about the same and the product is directly delivered to the customer’s place. While majority share of the revenue remains with the vendor, the app charges a nominal fee for the tie up and service.

Unorganised dress vendors and tailors can definitely capitalise on such a marketplace app and increase their reach manifold. You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Party entertainment industry is India’s fastest growing market

Music and dance are a party’s life. No party is complete without these two vital ingredients. There was a time when parties and weddings used to be simple. While guests danced merrily on the simple beats of dhol or band in a wedding, a cassette or a CD player could serve the purpose of younger generation.

However, changing trends, rising disposable incomes and a young population’s growing penchant for indulgence has transformed India’s way of celebrations. Bollywood has remained a major influence behind the changing lifestyle of urban-middle class weddings and parties.

Today, hosts try variety of options for party entertainers like musicians, dancers, emcees, magicians, jugglers or a DJ. Performances by artists have become the latest personal style statement, a badge of coolness. It’s now more of a lifestyle than just a form of art or celebration.

Wedding, pre-wedding celebrations, birthday parties, anniversaries, bachelorette parties are some of the main occasions where a performer is roped in. The party performers are readily encashing on the market where people happily cough up the money to subject themselves to stylish entertainment. Interestingly the growing demand does not seem to have affected the prices.

The party entertainment industry is one of the fastest growing industries of India estimating a market share of approximately $ 1.5 Billion. A party entertainer can earn anywhere between $ 1, 800-$ 5, 600 for an event. People no longer want to dance on recorded songs anymore which is why the demand for DJs is growing in the market. A DJ can earn between $ 1, 000-$ 20, 000 for a party depending on the popularity.

The pricing is totally based on the experience of the artist plus the entertainment they are offering. Such prices don’t baffle most customers, what concerns customers is the quality of the entertainment that they shall be offered. The quality is constitutive of a lot more than the art.

However, not all artists are tied up with party/wedding planners. The unorganised party entertainers are not able to make much money due to high competition. There are hundreds of home-based artists as well who only get the work when their popularity is spread through word of mouth. Such artists can get both recognition and work if they tie up with a tech platform like Clappily. Clappily is a marketplace both for merchants and consumers which is available on Android and iOS. The app becomes a single destination for varied party needs that customers may have, entertainment being an increasingly important part of the mix.

If an entertainer has the quality to offer, getting customers is no big deal once tied up with Clappily.

When the customer books an entertainer, he/she is informed about the same and they can directly meet. While majority share of the revenue remains with the merchant, the app charges a nominal fee for the tie up and service.

Home deliveries have occupied the maximum portion of urban middle class’s life and if an entertainer can be booked at the click of a button, it will be a boon for the host of the party. Unorganised entertainers can definitely capitalise on such a marketplace app and increase their reach manifold.You can also find us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.