Happy friendship Day:

Friendship Day was originally started by greeting card companies as a promotional scheme for their products in the beginning of 20^th century, but did not sustain long as it was dismissed as a marketing gimmick. 

In South America, it is celebrated since many years. But, United Nations officially recognised only in April 2011, and named 30^th July as International Friendship Day. But, in most countries, including India, the first Sunday of August is celebrated as Friendship Day. So, this year 6^th August will be celebrated as Friendship Day in India.

In 1998 in honour of Friendship Day, Nane  Annan, wife of UN Secretary- General Kofi  Annan named Winnie the Pooh as the world's Ambassador of Friendship at the United Nations.

With online marketing taking off, after 2004, Friendship Day has also spread and gained in popularity. On this Day, friends exchange greetings, gifts and cards as a gesture of friendship.

On this occasion celebrities, as ambassadors of UNICEF,  visit orphanages and extend their hands in friendship and distribute sweets and gifts. Don't forget to do the same and extend your hand in friendship. Happy friendship day.

Some interesting offers from online sellers,

Personalised gift (for Rakhi) from Printland,

LimeRoad offers on Men's wear,

Shoppersstop offers  on Kids wear and Men's & Women's Fashion,

Jabong offers on Catwalk shoes and Women's ethnic wear,

Shopclues on Refurbished and unboxed gadgets and Watches,

Tatacliq on Men's shoes, Men's and Women's Footwear and Women's Fashion,

Myntra on Men's Fashion and Kids Indian wear,

Flipcart on Gifts, SmartTV, Rakhi Set, and Women's Footwear,

Amazon on Vitamins and Supplements and Raksha bandhan Gift combos,

                   Handbags and Headphones.

Xiaomi-Redmi-4A

When is International Beer Day:

While India is celebrating International Friendship Day and Raksha Bandhan  on the 6th and 7th of August 2017 respectively, in some parts of the world August 4th 2017 has been celebrated as International Beer Day.

Though there is nothing official about it, the 1st Friday of August every is celebrated as International Beer Day. Incidentally, the 1st Sunday of August every year is celebrated as International Friendship Day.

According to internationalbeerday.com ,

"International Beer Day is a global celebration of beer, taking place in pubs, breweries and backyards all over the world. It's a day for beer lovers everywhere to raise a toast to our brewers and bartenders and rejoice in the greatness of beer."

"According to a new study of  2 million people published in The BMJ adds more evidence that moderate amounts of alcohol appear to be healthy for most heart conditions-but not all of them" says a report in the Time magazine.

timesunion has an interesting video clipping and more details. So, get ready to celebrate International Beer Day next year.

Some interesting offers for Raksha Bhandan and International Friendship Day.

Personalised gift (for Rakhi) from Printland,

LimeRoad offers on Men's wear,

Shoppersstop offers  on Kids wear and Men's & Women's Fashion,

Jabong offers on Catwalk shoes and Women's ethnic wear,

Shopclues on Refurbished and unboxed gadgets and Watches,

Tatacliq on Men's shoes, Men's and Women's Footwear and Women's Fashion,

Myntra on Men's Fashion and Kids Indian wear,

Flipcart on Gifts, SmartTV, Rakhi Set, and Women's Footwear,

Amazon on Vitamins and Supplements and Raksha bandhan Gift combos,

                   Handbags and Headphones.

Xiaomi-Redmi-4A

Raksha bhandan:

The festival is celebrated all over India, but with more verve and vigor in the north. It is celebrated from time immemorial and there are different stories regarding its origin.

 Many different religious rites and rituals are associated with it depending on local custom and practices, but the common thread in all this is the tying of rakhi or solemn thread by sisters around the wrist of brothers, not necessarily biological, wishing them prosperous and long life. 

In India it is to be celebrated on 7th Aug. 2017 with sweets and exchange of gifts. 

World Friendship Day:

 Friendship Day was originally started by greeting card companies as a promotional scheme for their products in the beginning of 20^th century, but did not sustain long as it was dismissed as a marketing gimmick. 

In South America, it is celebrated since many years. But, United Nations officially recognised only in April 2011, and named 30^th July as International Friendship Day. But, in most countries, including India, the first Sunday of August is celebrated as Friendship Day. So, this year 6^th August will be celebrated as Friendship Day in India.

In 1998 in honour of Friendship Day, Nane  Annan, wife of UN Secretary- General Kofi  Annan named Winnie the Pooh as the world's Ambassador of Friendship at the United Nations.

With online marketing taking off, after 2004, Friendship Day has also spread and gained in popularity. On this Day, friends exchange greetings, gifts and cards as a gesture of friendship.

On this occasion celebrities, as ambassadors of UNICEF,  visit orphanages and offer their hands of friendship and distribute sweets and gifts

Since Raksha Bandhan is also around the corner there is flood of offers,

Personalised gift (for Rakhi) from Printland,

LimeRoad offers on Men's wear,

Shoppersstop offers  on Kids wear and Men's & Women's Fashion,

Jabong offers on Catwalk shoes and Women's ethnic wear,

Shopclues on Refurbished and unboxed gadgets and Watches,

Tatacliq on Men's shoes, Men's and Women's Footwear and Women's Fashion,

Myntra on Men's Fashion and Kids Indian wear,

Flipcart on Gifts, SmartTV, Rakhi Set, and Women's Footwear,

Amazon on Vitamins and Supplements and Raksha bandhan Gift combos,
                   Handbags and Headphones.

Xiaomi-Redmi-4A

Online marketing of Jewellery:

There are a few online jewellery marketing companies in India. A few were started for dedicated jewellery  business, like CaratLane. Some offline retailers use brands like VelvetCase and WearYourShine  to sell online. Apart from these, there are a lot of offline retailers who use their e-commerce website as a introduction for selling on Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal. Recently Kalyan Jewellers, a retail chain, bought out the online jewellery company Candere.

Indians have still not accepted online jewellery purchase in a big way. The reason could be many fold, their doubts about the genuine quality and safety, missing the thrill and joy of getting a feel of the jewellery physically, since only 1.5% have credit/debit cards, most of the buying happens in cash.

Today, low value jewellery like gold coins, pendants with engravings of gods etc. are attracting buyers. Convincing buyers to buy high end jewellery is hard. But jewellers are convinced that with increasing globalisation and competition it is necessary to promote their business online.

Towards this end the firms now outsource logistics to well known courier companies, which deliver the jewellery, certified by independent international agencies, in a tamper proof pack. The products are priced about 25% lower than retail stores.

 Also they are employing a supply chain management to keep track of and deliver in time.

Online Grocery business:

Online grocery business is more challenging than other online consumer goods, because of the very nature of it. Packaged branded items are more amenable for online marketing. Others like perishables, items with expiry date, items with particular shelf life, loose items etc. may be little difficult.

Consumers are habituated to shop at local retail shops and nearby supermarkets, and to change this will be difficult, unless the incentive in online shopping is large enough that one cannot ignore it.

There are a few businesses in this line in select cities who are barely existing. Some have cut down  and some have not expanded even after being in this line for a couple of years. Although the online grocery business is growing at a reasonable pace the profit is not enough given the high distribution cost.

Under this scenario Amazon is entering this online business in a big way, initially in Bangalore. Having obtained the approval to invest in this line of business, it is  also launching its own brand, see here.