One ecommerce network to bring ‘em all

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Hello reader,

When you buy something online, do you scour the internet and check prices across platforms to find the best deal? Or do you stick to a particular platform and buy everything from there, no matter what?

I was more of a bargain hunter when I was younger, but I’ve become more of a platform loyalist over the years. But for certain items – especially the big-ticket ones – I definitely do a lot more homework and check my options.

But what if there’s one portal where you can search for an item and see which platforms are carrying it, and compare prices to find the best deal?

That sounds like a fantasy, but it’s something India is trying to do with its Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). In today’s premium story, we take a closer look at how it works and whether something similar could take off in Southeast Asia.

Today we look at:

• A platform trying to level the ecommerce playing field in India
• Why the share price of a Japanese spacetech firm went up
• Other newsy highlights such as PatSnap’s generative AI plans and BYD’s factory in Pakistan

Premium summary

Open commerce

Image credit: Timmy Loen

India is developing Open Network for Digital Commerce, a government initiative that allows buyers to connect to ecommerce sellers on any app, as long as the platform is integrated to ONDC.

• Challenge the status quo: The country’s ecommerce scene is dominated by Amazon and Flipkart. This duopoly not only restricts consumer choices and hinders the growth of smaller businesses, but it can also enable price manipulation by the leading players. ONDC aims to create a more level playing field for sellers and buyers.
• Interesting potential: ONDC has drawn interest from Southeast Asian countries like Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, suggesting that a similar model could be replicated overseas.
• Easier said than done: Despite showing promise, ONDC faces challenges including limited adoption, longer delivery times compared to established players, and difficulties with commission models for sellers. The network’s success in the long-term remains to be seen.

Read more: India’s duopoly breaker looks to shake up SEA ecommerce

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