COMPETITORS

There are two types of models that are currently existing in E-Commerce sector i.e. Inventory
mix and drop-shipping. Although it intends to expand itself into Inventory Mix model as well,
TCS Connect is currently into drop-shipping only and considers itself to be the only stakeholder
of this unique category1. However, if we analyze the over-all online shopping industry in
Pakistan, then TCS Connect has a very tough competition.
1. Homeshopping.pk
Homeshopping.pk, launched in 2008, is considered to be the largest online shopping network of
Pakistan with offices not only in Pakistan but in USA and China as well. It is a part of a US based
company named The HS Network LLC Some of the categories that it offers include Arts, Shoes,
Books, Bags, Consumer Electronics, Computers, Car Accessories, Security Gadgets and Property
etc.2
Homeshopping, with almost 100,000 products currently listed, is able to gain an audience of
almost 15000 unique visitors everyday on its website.3 Currently, it has average monthly
revenue of Rs. 25 Million approximately and has around a total of 55 employees. It receives
around 1000 orders per day on an average which is a great achievement in itself. The company
is renowned for its famous seven day, no questions asked, return policy. The only marketing
initiative used by the company include is SEO.4
The company has future plans of venturing into Android applications. The Green bag Grocery
Service idea is on the cards as well according to which all the items of daily use will be supplied
to the customers door step within two hours of order placement. Also very recently the
company has entered into an agreement of Bank Transfer option5 with two banks MCB and
Standard Chartered.
2. Daraz.pk
Daraz.pk, launched in August 2012 and is considered to be very famous for items such as shoes,
apparel and accessories. It not only sells Global brands like Addidas, Nike, Levis but local brands
like EGO, Outfitters and Cotton & Silk as well. It is currently offering more than 9500 products
from more than 300 brands.
1

According to Mohammad Atif, Manager Technology E-business, TCS Connect

http://www.homeshopping.pk/
3
According to Shayan Tahir, CEO Homeshopping.pk
4
Search Engine Optimization: the process of affecting the visibility of a website or a web page in a search engine's
natural or un-paid search results.
5
An option through which customers can easily select their desired bank at the checkout counter for payments
and the amount of cash will be immediately transferred to the Retailer.
2

Some of the features offered by Daraz.pk include

Free Shipping
Cash on Delivery
7 Days return
Sales Discounts
International Delivery6

Currently Daraaz has been able to grab an audience of 25,000-30,000 audience in a day which is
due to massive facebook advertising.7 Its facebook page likes have almost reached to 720,000+
which can be seen in the exhibit. The company has a total of 51-100 employees. 50-55 percent
of its sales are obtained from two tier cities. In order to keep the information safe the company
uses a very unique system of encryption know SSL Coding.8
3. Symbios.pk
The company, launched in 2006 currently offers 22,000 products in 15 categories and has
already served more than million customers. Some of their products include mobiles, laptop,
Camera, tablet PCs, watches and etc.9
The company is already present in the list of top 3 players of the E-commerce market with
Homeshopping.pk and Daraaz.pk. The company has been able to grab a target audience of
approximately 30,000 visitors who visit the website daily and a ratio of 1% out of 300 people
giving orders. 10
It made a remarkable sale of $1.85m dollars in the year 2013 where as its initial sales were
$75,000. 11 The company various offers and deals such as the Jaado offer which are popular
amongst the masses. It also offers various payment models which include:
1. Cash on Delivery
2. Quick Pay
3. Western Union
4. Online Bank Transfer

http://www.daraz.pk/about/
According to Muneeb Maayr, CEO Daraz.pk
8
SSL: Secure Socket Layer Coding; http://prezi.com/fshs1teiil5y/complete-analysis-of-darazpk/
9
http://www.symbios.pk/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=4
10
According to Saad Jangda, CEO Symbios.pk
11
http://heights.com.pk/story/2421
7

5. Easy Paisa
6. Paypal