Affiliate Marketing:

Affiliate marketing differs from advertising in that, in advertising advertisers pay upfront or on an agreed basis to  web publishers. Being affiliates mean, the advertisers pay a commission only after a sale is executed through their web.

In affiliate marketing, there are some variations and additions to the basic scheme explained above, such as discount coupons, points, rewards based on click or number of clicks etc. etc..

In another variation, affiliates become partners to other affiliate links which have links with several marketers. So, web publishers instead of becoming affiliates to individual marketing companies, become partners to affiliate links and, therefore indirectly affiliates of all the companies they have links. The commission are shared between them on an agreed basis.

This helps web publishers to concentrate on creating rich content, improved and attractive design, SEO optimization and expand reach through social and other media to  attract more traffic to their site.

Affiliate marketing can be, depending on the knowledge, skill and effort, a source of income or, at the least, additional source of income. This can be an additional knowledge base for IT professionals. There is room for more affiliate marketers, as some studies have shown.

Today affiliate marketing has made some impact only in mobile and some electronic items. In others it is only superficial and requires more affiliates with social media support.

The company, started in a garage for e-books, doesn't need any introduction. It  is the biggest in fashion apparels and accessories  seller in America. In India, though Amazon made its debut only in 2013, it has made a large impact in the electronics, mobiles and books segment. In others, including fashions, it is low, but the growth is encouraging.







Paytm is one of India's online mobile payment and commerce platforms. It started with online mobile recharge and payments, and today it has an online marketplace.







Not to be left behind the Tata group are also in to the online business. They offer all that others in this line are in. Their strength is their group companies who have the technology to back them. Of course, they will come up with some unique marketing strategies to make an impression.

News & Views:

Cricket:

BCCI has appointed Bharat Arun as bowling coach as recommended by the team coach Ravi Shastri.

Earlier, Ravi Shastri was appointed as the team coach after Anil Kumble resigned before completion of his contract period, reportedly due to tiff with the captain.

The CAC had minimal role to play in these appointments making it almost redundant. 

BCCI will appear more forthright if, in future, it appoints the support staff directly in consultation with the captain. Only, BCCI must have more senior test players.

ITC:

ITC fell by about 13% in the stock market. The reason given was, high GST on tobacco.

ITC is a well diversified company. Already it has shifted its core business from tobacco based products. So, not withstanding the ratings/comments, the fall will be only temporary. It will only benefit due lower net taxes on food and confectioneries.

Online fashion stores in India:

New fashion brands are appearing in the market, both in the online and physical segments, at a reasonable pace. This provides more opportunities for the customers in terms of range of products and price bargain. Those in the physical segment have entered the e-commerce portal as a natural extension and to strengthen and consolidate their brands. Whether the reverse is true is not clear.

Abof is an e-commerce retail portal launched by the Aditya Birla group in the fashions, apparels, shoes and accessories. The group, which owns Madura Fashions and Pantaloon, hopes to leverage its presence in the retail fashions market with the launch of its online portal. Abof plans to promote its in house brands along with third party sourcing in equal measure. Later, plans to  bring in international brands too.

Flipcart owned Myntra, which itself was acquired by Flipcart in 2014, bought the store from its founders, Global fashion group, in 2016 to consolidate its online business.

One of the oldest retail companies, has expanded into online business with the help of venture capital funds. It specializes in women's ethnic apparels in India.

Shoppers Stop, a K.Raheja group company, started its retail business in the early nineties. The company entered the e-commerce platform in late 2000 to leverage its retail business.

Ajio is an e-commerce company in the fashion space. It is launched by Reliance Retail, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd. Having said that there is no need to elaborate further and there will be no dearth for competition, which alone will bring comfort to customers.

Conclusion:

There are many more companies in this segment and will expand the list in the days to come. The whole segment can be divided into;

1.  a) Established retailers who have entered the e-commerce segment after this segment gained in popularity,
2.  b) Established e-commerce companies, Indian and foreign, and startups. 

There has been some consolidation with some Indian startups selling their brand to others.

News/Views

Our sympathies to the families of those killed in an accident during  Amarnath yatra.
Dehi hoax call to blow up Red Fort unraveled quickly!