Banyan Tree Info Media branches into eCommerce; Launches Awesomeji

Being skeptical about the deluge of eCommerce companies, I got in touch with Sanjay to know his thought process behind starting Awesomeji. He explained that the firm was attempting to leverage the expertise in the field of content creation and online marketing in order to drive Awesomeji which he calls a “risk diversification strategy”.

Apart from this, Awesomeji is primarily targeting NRIs and foreigners who have friends, relatives, and family in India. Handicraft items and customized combos of different items is what have been put on sale. Added to this are flowers, chocolates and cakes, ideally for gifting on various occasions. Sanjay also feels that personalized gifting segment is one that has tremendous potential when you talk of online gifting.

Working on the marketplace model, Sanjay explains that the supply chain is restricted to selecting the right vendor who in turn has the right supply chain. The firm does not manage an inventory, and prefers to keep the transactions robust.

Sanjay feels that websites like indiangiftsportal.com, talash.com, tajonline.com and giftstoindia24x7.com, might give Awesomeji competition, but he is banking on the services his team can provide.

When asked about what’s in store for the customers, he talked about their plans to have product videos and 360 degree view of products that give a near 3-D experience.

Today, like most other ecommerce start-ups, Awesomeji is juggling with issues pertaining to logistics, inventory management and customer retention, but as they say, only time will tell about the winner of the great Indian ecommerce saga.