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How many times have you stared at your (sometimes overflowing) wardrobe in horror and yelled “I have nothing to wear”? Speaking for myself when I say this: way too many times. Have I bailed on plans for this reason? Also yes. And this is why when I first came across Slikk, I was more than a little intrigued. “If you can have groceries delivered to you in a few minutes, why shouldn’t the same apply to clothes?”, the app’s advertisement taunts. Slikk promises to deliver clothes in just 60 minutes in Bengaluru, where it already operates. Today’s GenZ and young millennials are highly impulsive shoppers, making them a key target group for fast fashion brands, says founder Akshay Gulati. Their impulsiveness is fueled by the constant influx of new trends and designs, alongside faster delivery options. Slikk aims to address this by offering fresh collections from emerging fast fashion brands every week, along with a 60-minute delivery window, providing a unique shopping experience compared to traditional fashion platforms, he adds. He did not have to call us out like that. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112681980" title="Online vendors generated 15.8 million jobs in India: e-commerce report" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Anyways, I wasted no time in downloading the app and picking out some pieces of clothing. While the sizing charts weren’t as detailed as I would’ve liked and there weren’t too many options to choose from, it seemed to do the job — considering the startup began operating only recently. But what really caught my attention was that not only did Slikk offer a 7-day return, it also had a “Try and Buy” option. Here, the user would have to pay Rs 50 in addition to the standard delivery fee and Slikk’s delivery executive would wait for 10 minutes at your doorstep so you could try on the products and return what wasn’t to your liking immediately. Pretty neat, no? However, my love affair with Slikk ended sourly almost as soon as it began. After I’d added some pieces of clothing, selected the “Try and Buy” option and applied the first-timer discount coupon, it wouldn’t let me make the payment. I tried selecting both — the Cash on Delivery and Online Payment modes — several times. But the page wouldn’t budge. I even tried using the website, in case there was a glitch with the app, but that didn’t work either. While I was a little disappointed, the experience gave me the impression that Slikk needs a little more time to optimise its user interface and maybe collaborate with more brands before I can start relying on it as a chronic last-minute shopper. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Slikk has already raised $300K in its pre-seed round led by Better Capital, with participation from Untitled Ventures. The startup will be using the sum to scale to over 100 brands, a dark store — a retail outlet or distribution centre that exists exclusively for online shopping, and expand delivery coverage to 70% of Bengaluru’s pin codes. Further, Slikk also aims to broaden its offerings to other metropolitan cities in the country and also include beauty, personal care and home decor to its collection. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112444934" title="This new &amp;#39;Shazam&amp;#39; for fashion app could change the way the world shops online" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Nothing to wear? Bengaluru-based startup promises to deliver clothes in just 60 minutes. Here’s my experience!

<ul><li>Try not to shop for what you may need and only purchase what you definitely need. There will always be a sale later.</li><li>While most large online outlets offer your money back on returns, few don’t, so always read the terms and conditions.</li><li>In the urge to buy something unique or cheap from international sites, you may end up paying a stupid amount on import duty. </li></ul> There was a time not so long ago when shopping was an ‘event’ for an ‘event’ - a wedding in the family, a religious festival, a birthday and a few other special occasions. But now, it is something that is indulged in almost every other day or week. And while some find the experience of going to a mall thrilling, that insatiable need to shop⁠ ⁠or to find great discounts and deals is more or less limited to a phone or a computer because of the current COVID-19 situation. While it may be tough to ignore the plethora of sale notifications from companies like Amazon and Flipkart telling us about the fabulous deals they have in store, it is crucial to be mindful of the points below before investing our hard-earned money. 1. Make a wishlist: It is easy to jump into a rabbit hole of online shopping and buy everything cheap just because you may need it later or may fit into it later. Try not to shop for the ‘mays’ and only purchase what you need now. There will always be a sale later. 2. Take time to scour the internet: Just like you don’t walk into a shop and buy the first thing you see, don’t just buy the first thing you see online that meets your requirement. While it may be tempting just to click ‘buy now’ when you see something exciting, and on sale online, it is advisable to do your research and check out a bunch of sites before you hone-in on a product. It’s common to stumble upon an identical item cheaper on another site. 3. Buy good quality out-of-season articles and save them for later: While buying for the upcoming season may seem like the sensible thing to do, what would be more prudent is to invest in premium quality products end-of-season. They are often dirt-cheap, and you may never be able to purchase it full price anyway. It may be a bummer to wait for months before you can wear your new purchase, but it will undoubtedly be rewarding when you do sift it out months later. In fact, it’s best not to buy these when the company is offering a sale, instead, look out for these items when the sale is not on, some sites have a permanent sale section for things that are low in stock, or they want to get rid of inventory since the season is gone. 4. Measure up: It is always best to take a tape measure and measure yourself or the space in which the item you wish to buy will go. However, some size charts can be quite deceptive. So, it may be a good idea to check out the sizes of your already-existing items and buy from the same brand or same size. Also, don’t buy something by just seeing the picture. There are hilarious memes out there when people have bought items thinking it’s of standard size and they turn out to be miniatures. 5. Make a note of the delivery time and delivery charges: No one wants to pay extra for delivery nor wait forever to receive an item. Some sites have an option wherein you can check the delivery time to your location by typing in your pin code, and some websites also have options of items that are ‘ready to be dispatched’ that will take a shorter period to arrive. There are instances where the site claims there is no delivery charge, but you will notice the same product in another site will cost you less even after paying the delivery charges. Another point to note is whether you will have to bear any cost if you have to return or exchange the product. 6. Go through the fine print, particularly the return/exchange policy: A big advantage to shopping online is the fact that you can ‘usually’ return a product and get your money back. However, while most large online outlets offer your money back, few don’t. They only offer exchange or store credit, and sometimes not even that. It would be wise to read the ‘shipping and returns’ terms and conditions or call the customer care and check with them. 7. If you are unhappy with the product, complain: It’s always smart to let the seller know if you faced any issues with the product. However, be kind and patient, a random rant by an irate customer is often ignored. Call, mail, chat, whatever floats your boat. If your problem is genuine, an enterprising seller may offer you a voucher to make up for a bad experience. 8. Be very careful while ordering from international websites: In the urge to buy something unique or cheap, you may end up paying a stupid amount in import duty. Also remember, once purchased, it will be close to impossible to return the item if dissatisfied. 9. Always read the user feedback: This feature may be unavailable in most sites, but some, like Amazon, Myntra, Marks &amp; Spencer etc., have a feature where users can leave images and feedback on the product. Now, interpreting the feedback is also crucial. Beware of the always-disgruntled shopper who will buy a ₹100 headphone but expect Marshall-quality audio or disingenuous extra positive feedback probably written by the seller’s kin. Then, there is a genuine lot whose opinion is resonated by most, which is usually the best indicator of whether the product is worth buying. Also, go with your gut. If something looks too good to be true, it probably is. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/heres-how-indians-are-buying-tesla-facebook-and-apple-shares-through-brokerage-startups/articleshow/80403004.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Here’s how Indians are buying Tesla, Facebook, and Apple shares through brokerage startups</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/recession-in-india-will-end-latest-by-march-says-a-top-economist/articleshow/80399198.cms">Recession in India will end latest by March, says a top economist</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/do-not-panic-when-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-reads-out-the-revised-estimates/articleshow/80400869.cms">Do not panic when Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reads out the revised estimates</a> <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

Nine useful tips to amp-up your online shopping game

<ul><li>E-commerce platforms like Amazon, Flipkart and BigBasket are racing to eliminate single use plastic from their packaging.</li><li>BigBasket is ahead of the curve as it replaced plastic packaging with paper bags completely three years ago. </li><li>Amazon India plans eliminate single use plastic by June 2020 and Flipkart is aiming for March 2021.</li></ul>Global e-commerce giants, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=amazon+india&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=flipkart&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Flipkart</a>, aim to phase out single-use plastics from their packaging over the next two years. But, homegrown online grocery delivery platform BigBasket has been frugal in its use of plastic since its launched in 2011. "To a large extent we have reduced plastic to a large extent right from before. It’s not recent," Pooja Ravishankar, head of category marketing at BigBasket told Business Insider. For the past three to four years, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=bigbasket&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">BigBasket</a> has stopped using plastic entirely to deliver fruits and vegetables to its customers. "All our fruits and vegetables come in a paper bag," said Ravishankar. Amazon India, on the other hand, plans to eliminate all plastic packaging and replace it with paper cushions by June 2020. Walmart-owned <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/flipkart-and-air-india-become-the-first-in-their-sectors-to-begin-the-fight-against-plastic/articleshow/70894061.cms">Flipkart</a>’s plan is to use 100% recycled plastic in their supply chain by March 2021. The company claims that it has been able to reduce its <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=single+use+plastic&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">single use plastic</a> consumption by 25% as on 1 August, 2019. Flipkart stated that it plans to replace poly pouches with recycled paper bags and bubble wrap with carton waste shredded material. Challenges of making the transition from plastic to paper When BigBasket made the switch from plastic bags to paper bags for their fruits and vegetables, their primary concern was that they might lose customers as a result. "We were very worried because plastic gives you that transparency and vegetables look a lot nicer in plastic. Paper is opaque, and customers can’t see them. It’s a very touch-and-feel category," said Ravishankar. Despite the apprehension, BigBasket did not lose customers. They went ahead and switched other grocery categories to paper packaging as well and their bills are printed on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=recycled+paper&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">recycled paper</a>. "We want to reduce the packaging on fruits and vegetables as well. At the end of the day, paper packaging means trees are being cut down. Eventually we would want to move onto the thela (cloth bag) system," explained Ravishankar. Eliminating packaging altogether But, there’s still one challenge that remains — staples. Due to their weight and quantities, BigBasket still has to use plastic to deliver things like atta (flour) and dal (pulses). The company is mulling over shifting to recycle plastic to solve the conundrum "One of the dreams that we have is that we want to get rid of packaging completely. It’s a vision for us," stated Ravishankar. India has plans to implement a country-wide ban on single use plastic on with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to announce new guidelines today, 2 October 2019. During India’s 73rd <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/topic/Independence-day">Independence Day</a>, Modi emphasised immediate measures that could put in place to eradicate non-recyclable plastic. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/flipkart-and-air-india-become-the-first-in-their-sectors-to-begin-the-fight-against-plastic/articleshow/70894061.cms">Flipkart and Air India become the first in their sectors to begin the fight against plastic</a> <meta content="cms.next" name="cmsei" />

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