Storewise
Ankit Garg
Ankit Garg

June 3, 2025

Sales Strategy
7 MIN READ

6 Growth Tips for FMCG E-commerce Sales

A guide to achieve long-term FMCG sales growth on e-commerce platforms like Amazon, BigBasket, Zepto etc.

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Navigating the online marketplace for Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies in India involves adapting to platforms like Amazon FBA India, BigBasket, and Zepto. While opportunities for online FMCG sales have expanded, many brands encounter challenges in fully realizing their online potential. This guide outlines strategic focus areas for Indian FMCG manufacturers to ensure long-term e-commerce growth.

Regional Product Distribution

Prompt delivery is a critical factor for online FMCG success, because customers like to receive their Amazon orders quickly. Brands like MDH and Mama Earth leverage strategically located warehouses in major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai, reducing delivery times significantly from traditional norms. This helps them win against their competitors who are not having regional distribution for their products.

Practical Steps:

- Warehouse placement should cover key geographical zones: Delhi NCR and Punjab/UP for North; Bangalore and Chennai for South; Mumbai and Ahmedabad for West; and Kolkata for East.

- Maintain sufficient inventory for 30-45 days of anticipated sales.

- Utilize services like those of Amazon and BigBasket for warehouse management.

- Regularly monitor stock levels as diligently as you would your financials.

Case Study: A Pune-based beverage company utilized Storewise Flexi Distribution, achieving a 40% increase in sales over three months by reducing their delivery-by times on the e-commerce platforms.

Optimizing Pricing for Profitability

Online pricing is more challenging than physical store pricing, and thus requires strategic positioning relative to competitors in same category.

Practical Steps:

- Mass-market FMCG items should be priced within 3-5% of leading competitors.

- Premium FMCG goods can sustain a 10-15% price premium if delivering perceived added value.

- Implement special value packs (e.g., 1+1 offers) to create a 15-20% added value perception.

- Conduct weekly price reviews across all regions to maintain competitive edge.

Case Study: Paperboat adjusted their pricing strategy and introduced multi-pack offers on Amazon during summer, effectively doubling sales as compared to physical retail performance.

Effective Platform Marketing

Visibility is essential on e-commerce platforms, requiring a focused advertising strategy comparable to prominent physical storefront signage.

Practical Steps:

- Initiate with a manageable ₹500 daily ad spend on key platforms.

Enhancing Product Discoverability

Your product listing and carousel on the e-commerce sites is influential in a customer's decision process to choose your product over your competitor; it must communicate effectively with clarity and transparency.

Image and Presentation Requirements:

- Feature 6-8 high-resolution images with primary images at 1000x1000 pixels.

- Include 2-3 lifestyle images and comprehensive package views.

- Offer size reference images and straightforward product titles.

Practical Steps:

- Regularly update keywords aligned with current search analytics.

- Clearly articulate product benefits using accessible language.

Case Study: A spice company in Kerala integrated common search terms into product titles, leveraging a structured ad strategy that boosted daily sales from 50 to 200 within two months.

Capitalizing on Sale Events and Festivals

Participating actively in large-scale online sales events can replicate the festive boom experienced by physical stores, presenting an opportunity to triple or quadruple sales.

Practical Steps:

- Engage in campaigns like Amazon's Great Indian Festival and BigBasket's BBStar.

- Stock double the usual inventory in preparation for high-demand periods.

- Formulate promotional offers at least 45 days prior to events.

- Develop exclusive combo packs for these promotional periods.

Meticulous Analytics Monitoring

Just as daily sales figures are pivotal for traditional shops, so are digital metrics for online success.

Important Metrics:

- Visibility rates: How often are your products viewed?

- Conversion statistics: What percentage of consumers make purchases?

- Performance tracking: Identify consistently high-performing products.

- Customer sentiment: Use feedback to improve offerings.

Closing Thoughts

To summarize the main growth hacks in online FMCG sales are strategic distribution, precise pricing, and integral platform relationships. Embrace this digital evolution, much like pioneers Patanjali and MDH did, and transform your FMCG business into a thriving online entity.