Once a small startup in Bengaluru, Meesho has now become a major player in the Indian e-commerce market, giving cut-throat competition to giants like Amazon and Flipkart.
Meesho was founded in 2015 by Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal, with the aim of enabling small businesses to sell their products online. The platform works on a unique model, where individual sellers can list their products on Meesho and promote them through social media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.
Over the years, Meesho has grown exponentially, and its unique model has helped it gain a loyal customer base. In 2021, the company was valued at $2.1 billion after a successful funding round, making it one of the most valuable startups in India.
The company’s success can be attributed to its focus on the Tier II and III cities in India, where the demand for online shopping is growing rapidly. According to a recent report by RedSeer, Meesho has emerged as the second-largest e-commerce platform in India in terms of Gross Merchandise Value (GMV), with a market share of 13%. This is a significant achievement, considering that Meesho only entered the market a few years ago.
Meesho has also been able to attract a large number of women entrepreneurs to its platform, with more than 80% of its sellers being women. The platform provides a great opportunity for women to start their own businesses from home, and Meesho’s training and support programs have helped many of them succeed.
Meesho’s success has not gone unnoticed by its competitors. Amazon and Flipkart have both launched similar initiatives to attract small sellers, but Meesho’s unique model and focus on Tier II and III cities have given it an edge. The company is now looking to expand its services beyond India and has set its sights on Southeast Asia.
Meesho’s success story is a testament to the power of innovation and the potential of the Indian e-commerce market. As more and more people in Tier II and III cities embrace online shopping, Meesho is well-positioned to continue its impressive growth trajectory and give established players like Amazon and Flipkart a run for their money.
Meesho has also been able to attract a large number of women entrepreneurs to its platform, with MAjoRITY of its sellers being women
