Flipkart gives students what they want to woo them- reduced prices!

There was a time when no one took students seriously as they were not earning members of a family and hence not considered as decision makers or influential in buying decisions. With the increase in disposable income of families,the mindset has changed as has the requirements of a student. Today, students depend more on laptops and phones to access the vast knowledge on the internet and books are merely an accessory or compulsion to most.

Sensing the potential of students as a lucrative customer segment, Flipkart is now trying to attract student customers with additional discounts on products like laptops, smartphones and clothing.

Also underway are efforts to increase automation in its warehouses so that its delivery processes can be streamlined to ensure products are delivered faster to customers. In addition to increasing the spends from existing customers, it needs to increase customer base too to boost market share.

What’s in store for students from Flipkart?

A marketing campaign targeted specially at students, who are most tech-savvy now, is underway and should start in the coming 4-5 months.

“Students as a category are the most online savvy. (They) represent a growing segment of existing and potential customers. And through this programme we want to connect with them, give them special offers to products and features that will appeal to them, and showcase Flipkart as the go-to destination for all their needs. The campaign will use on-ground and digital platforms to reach out to students,” Ravi Vora, marketing head of Flipkart, said in an interview.

Although students have not been a specific target segment until now, Flipkart is looking to change that with the introduction of various benefits like:

Membership/subscription with Flipkart
Year-long discounts on a number or products like bags, electronics, apparel, accessories
Flipkart First at Rs. 250
“Going after students has two benefits. Flipkart gets new users who are Internet savvy and are used to looking for things online, and also they get users who are at the beginning of their purchasing cycle,” said Ashish Jhalani, founder at consultancy Etailing India. “So by going after them, they get them accustomed to the site and the brand and that has long-term benefits.”

Opportunity for Indian Online Seller with Flipkart’s efforts to increase user base

Industry analysts have predicted a slower user adoption of e-commerce in the next 2-3 years. In the wake of this, extra efforts are required to ensure online sellers and marketplaces can keep growing to ensure the required boost in profit margins.

Identifying and tapping into potential customer segments is the most ideal way to expand user base. Join in Flipkart’s efforts at wooing students to get popular with them. It is also an ideal way to attract them at a time when they start online shopping; their needs will keep increasing only and once you are popular with them they will keep coming back to you for more.