Fopping.com - E-commerce with Social Networking, More Friends means More Discounts!

Based out of Hyderabad, Fopping.com was started with an aim to be a unique platform and create a different experience in the e-commerce segment. Fopping.com currently offers Apparel, Footwear and Accessories to its customers. However, the twist in the story is, that this is not one of your regular online shopping portals. What makes Fopping.com uncannily interesting is that, it amalgamates “social-networking” and “e-commerce.” Two concepts that are boiling hot in the times we live. A person who has more friends has more Social Reach. So why can’t there be a price determined by our Social Strength?And how does this work? Well, you like the product, you share it on your favourite social network. The discount meter will move automatically. Technically, you earn Fopps (1 Fopp = 1 Rupee) depending on the number of friends you have on FB or Twitter. Based on the number of Fopps the user has, the discount meter will stir.

Operational since November 10^th  2011, this e-venture is hardly a month old, and has a 15 member team. Yet, they have mostly all major brands onboard already and allow Credit card, Online Banking and COD modes of payment.

Selling the concept and bringing all stakeholders on the same page was their greatest challenge. Fopping.com is metaphorically a bridge between three different kinds of people and industries, i.e E-commerce, Social Networks and Retail. Having been funded internally, their monetary issues were taken care of while starting up and now, they are planning to scaling up without any funding requirements. Their sister concern companies have about 220 stores all over south India.

When asked if they were looking at international sales as well, founder Rama Jamili said “ Not really, the Indian market is good enough for now.”

Studied in theUSat Stevens Institute of Technology, Rama has worked as an analyst in Credit Suisse and Citadel Securities. He came back toIndiato be part of the shining India story.

“It was a wonderful experience to create a new company,” says Rama “However, I must add, that creating a startup is like riding a Roller Coaster. Be ready for thrills and frills associated with it. And moreso, nothing is more important than thinking positive in tough times!”

- Abhilasha Dafria