5 tips for a better Indian market entry strategy - Trade Ready (2024)

5 tips for a better Indian market entry strategy - Trade Ready (1)India is the second-most populous market in the world, but also among the most complex to enter as a company without any previous experience in the region. Below you’ll find 5 tips on building an Indian market entry strategy.

Here’s some advice based on my own experience that will give you an advantage over your competitors as you make the first steps towards success in India.

1.Find the right partner

India is the world’s seventh largest economy in terms of GDP, and has a population of 1.3 billion people. It is a complex market for the best Indian companies, and even more so for companies from abroad. Businesses with a pre-determined mindset and less exposure to international markets might find the commerce culture in India too intimidating.

Identifying the right partner goes a long way in successfully navigating the complexities of the local business environment for a new entrant into the Indian market. A local partner can provide much-needed assistance in understanding the Indian market. This partner can give you valuable market insights on competition, regulation and other important issues. They can also introduce you to the network with the reach to target prospective clients without much investment on the ground.

2.Localize your products to meet consumer needs and preferences

India is a vast and diverse country encompassing many different identities, languages, cultures and religions. It is important to avoid making generalizations or assumptions, as local practices and consumer behavior may vary substantially from region to region.

Since India has such a pluralistic, multilingual society, more often than not, a one solution fits all approach doesn’t work. Even a global bigwig like McDonald’s had to localize its product offerings based on the fact that half of Indians are vegetarian. They also have to leave their most popular item, beef burgers, off the shelf given the religious sensibilities of the Indian population.

3.Remember the high level of price sensitivity

It is extremely important for a new entrant into the Indian market to get its price strategy right, particularly if it’s targeted towards the low and middle income populations. Even with a growing economy and a burgeoning middle class, there’s no denying the fact that India is still a low middle income economy, with a per capita income of around $2,000 and a huge population still living below the poverty line.

Since the government cannot afford to provide for education and healthcare coverage, the majority of the population has to pay for these necessities from their own income. With little disposable income left after covering basic amenities, there’s not much money left in the hands of a significant portion of the population. This makes the market price sensitive as many people need to spend judiciously.

4.Enter the Indian market for long-term growth, not to make a quick buck

India is certainly not a place for businesses to make quick gains – you need to be invested for the long haul. Although it’s a huge market with a population of 1.3 billion people, including 400 million middle class consumers, it has its share of challenges when it comes to market entry.

Because India is such a huge and attractive opportunity, there is no dearth of competition. More often than not, you have companies looking for market share and compromising on potential short-term profitability in order to establish themselves more firmly there. Given the complexity of the market, it takes time for the companies to understand the environment and develop the right strategy.

5.Prepare to navigate a much different legal and regulatory landscape

The Indian judicial system follows “common law”, and the constitution has provided for a single integrated system of courts to administer both union and state laws.

Due attention should be paid, including seeking professional advice, before entering into a formal agreement. Court judgements are often delayed because of the huge backlog of cases, so any agreement should provide the scope for alternate dispute resolution mechanisms.

Have any experience building your own Indian market entry strategy? Add your advice in the comments for others who may be entering for the first time!

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the contributing author, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Forum for International Trade Training.

About the author

5 tips for a better Indian market entry strategy - Trade Ready (2)

Author: Vikram Jain, CITP|FIBP

Vikram Jain, joined Trade Commissioner Services, Government of Canada, in August 2008 and he works on Life Sciences, ICT, Infrastructure and Education sectors based out of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India.Vikram has gained extensive private sector experience in the field of International Marketing, having worked with auto component manufacturer handling South Asia region and in the field of Consulting as Director of an Independent company.With a Masters degree in International Business from Institute for Technology and Management, Mumbai and EDHEC, France and a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Gulbarga University, his forte remains International Marketing. View all posts by Vikram Jain, CITP|FIBP

5 tips for a better Indian market entry strategy - Trade Ready (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to enter the Indian market? ›

To enter the Indian market, you would require multiple marketing efforts that address differing regional opportunities, languages, cultural differences, standards, and levels of economic development. An international company can start its operations in India by forming collaboration with an Indian partner.

What are the 5 methods of entry into international markets? ›

There are several market entry methods that can be used.
  • Exporting. Exporting is the direct sale of goods and / or services in another country. ...
  • Licensing. Licensing allows another company in your target country to use your property. ...
  • Franchising. ...
  • Joint venture. ...
  • Foreign direct investment. ...
  • Wholly owned subsidiary. ...
  • Piggybacking.

What is the best market entry strategies? ›

Here are 10 market entry strategies you can use to sell your product internationally:
  • Exporting. Exporting involves marketing the products you produce in the countries in which you intend to sell them. ...
  • Piggybacking. ...
  • Countertrade. ...
  • Licensing. ...
  • Joint ventures. ...
  • Company ownership. ...
  • Franchising. ...
  • Outsourcing.
Jul 27, 2021

What were factors that needed to be considered to successfully break into the Indian market? ›

4 factors that International brands need to keep in mind when venturing into the Indian market
  • Establishing connect. ...
  • Holistic approach to brand building. ...
  • Brand positioning. ...
  • Giving a face to the brand. ...
  • Way Forward. ...
  • By Anindita Gupta, co-founder, Scenic Communication.
Feb 7, 2020

Is India a good market to enter? ›

Open Regulatory Environment - Indian market is far more open than other countries. The accessibility of the Indian market makes it very attractive for foreign start-ups. The Indian government is welcoming investments in the country.

Which is best in Indian market? ›

Most Iconic Markets in India
Commercial StreetCommercial Street
Colaba CausewayColaba Causeway
JanpathJanpath
Hazratganj MarketHazratganj Market
Johari BazaarJohari Bazaar
9 more rows
Jun 20, 2018

What are the four market entry strategies? ›

Exporting, licensing, franchising, and wholly-owned ventures are the four market entry strategies.

What are examples of market entry strategies? ›

Some of the most common strategies for market entry include:
  • Exporting.
  • Licensing.
  • Franchising.
  • Partnering.
  • Joint ventures.
  • Turnkey projects.
  • Greenfield investments.
Dec 29, 2021

What are the three major market entry strategies? ›

Market Entry Strategy Examples
  • Example 1: Direct Exporting. A company decides to enter the Chinese market by directly exporting its products to China. ...
  • Example 2: Joint Venture. A company decides to enter the Chinese market by setting up a joint venture with a local Chinese company. ...
  • Example 3: Licensing.
Jul 13, 2022

What are the five 5 selling strategies? ›

5 Sales Strategies for Businesses
  • Define your buyer.
  • Tell a story.
  • Target a niche market.
  • Sell your brand.
  • Focus on internal growth.

What are the 8 steps to create a market strategy? ›

How to create a go-to-market strategy
  1. Identify your target market. The customer is the centerpiece of any marketing strategy. ...
  2. Clarify your value proposition. ...
  3. Define your pricing strategy. ...
  4. Craft your promotion strategy. ...
  5. Choose your sales and distribution channels. ...
  6. Set metrics and monitor your performance.
Oct 10, 2022

What are the six strategies to attract customers? ›

The following six strategies will help you attract and keep customers.
  • Offer quality products. Good quality is the most important reason cited by consumers for buying directly from farmers. ...
  • Cultivate good people skills. ...
  • Know your customers. ...
  • Use attractive packaging. ...
  • Let customers try samples. ...
  • Be willing to change.

What are the 5 factors that are changing the Indian economy? ›

Answer: Six factors limiting economic growth are:
  • Poor heath & low levels of education.
  • Lack of necessary infrastructure.
  • Flight of capital.
  • Political instability.
  • Institutional Framework.
  • World Trade Organization.

What are the three main factors of Indian economy? ›

And there are various factors that impact these sectors of the Indian economy. Those factors are the high population growth rate, low income per capita, and unemployment rate. The covid pandemic also has had an adverse impact on the primary sector of the Indian economy as well as the secondary and tertiary sectors.

What are the challenges in Indian market? ›

Top 10 challenges faced by Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) in INdia
  • Hiring And Retaining Talent.
  • Expensive Real Estate.
  • High Competition.
  • Poor Cash Flow.
  • Founder Dependence.
  • Scale Vs Quality.
  • Ineffective Marketing and Advertising.
  • Disorganized Book-Keeping.
May 15, 2022

Why India is the best market? ›

From clothes to spices to jewelry, Indian markets indeed offer some wonderful items at the best prices. Many markets of various eras still continue to exist. These places have been selling the best of clothes, accessories, handicrafts, jewelry, and many more.

Why is India good for international trade? ›

India today presents a great investment destination to any international business, thanks to its large economy, huge consumer market, and abundant skills and talent. What is even more exciting though is the potential. Economists predict it will be the world's 3rd largest economy and 3rd largest consumer market by 2030.

Why India is best for business? ›

India is one of the most populated countries in the world with approximately 1.3 billion people due to which India gets a huge market base. A large population accompanied by a market without any borders and a skilled workforce are undoubtedly the major advantages to starting a business in India.

What type of market is India? ›

Today, India is considered a mixed economy: the private and public sectors co-exist and the country leverages international trade.

What is in high demand in Indian market? ›

Mobile Phones

As of July 2022, 600 million smartphones were sold across India, making it one of the most demanded products in India. Rising disposable income, cheaper internet, and the need to always stay connected with each other have driven the smartphone market in India.

What is Indian market called? ›

Indian markets are usually called bazaars.

What are the 7 marketing strategies? ›

The 7 Ps of Marketing

These seven are: product, price, promotion, place, packaging, positioning and people. As products, markets, customers and needs change rapidly, you must continually revisit these seven Ps to make sure you're on track and achieving the maximum results possible for you in today's marketplace.

What are the 5 Competitive strategies examples? ›

Here are four types of competitive strategy and an example for each:
  • Cost leadership strategy. ...
  • Differentiation leadership strategy. ...
  • Cost focus strategy. ...
  • Differentiation focus strategy.
Nov 16, 2021

What do you think is the best entry strategy and why? ›

#1 Exporting/Trading

One way to enter a new market is through exporting goods. This strategy allows you to enter several markets simultaneously. You can assign a local distributor to conduct transactions with your buyers. The main advantage of working with local distributors is access to their existing client base.

What is the five step strategy? ›

The five stages of the process are goal-setting, analysis, strategy formation, strategy implementation and strategy monitoring.

What is 5 C's in marketing? ›

The 5Cs are Company, Collaborators, Customers, Competitors, and Context.

What are the 5 A's in marketing? ›

Named by Dr. Philip Kotler, the five stages (Awareness, Appeal, Ask, Act and Advocacy) allow marketing and sales professionals to create a map of the customer's needs and priorities during the different parts of their purchase process.

What are 6 main points of marketing strategy? ›

The building blocks of an effective marketing strategy include the 6 P's of marketing: product, price, place, promotion, people, and presentation. The effective integration of the 6 P's of marketing can serve as the foundation for an effective growth strategy.

What words attract customers? ›

10 Powerfully Persuasive Words Your Customers Want to Hear
  • Free.
  • Exclusive.
  • Easy.
  • Limited.
  • Get.
  • Guaranteed.
  • You.
  • Because.
Aug 2, 2016

How we can improve Indian economy? ›

Using Infrastructure to Spur Economic Growth
  1. Growth: Raise investment rates to 36% of GDP. ...
  2. Employment and Labour Reforms: The necessary condition for employment generation is economic growth. ...
  3. Technology & Innovation: ...
  4. Industry: ...
  5. Doubling Farmers Income: ...
  6. Energy: ...
  7. Logistics:

What are the top five challenges of Indian economy? ›

Top five challenges of the Indian economy
  • Low level of national income and per capita income.
  • Vast inequalities in wealth and income.
  • The predominance of agriculture.
  • Tremendous population pressure.
  • Massive unemployment.

What 5 things are needed for economic growth? ›

Top Five Factors That Spur Economic Growth
  • Natural Resources. Natural resources are the number one factor that spurs economic growth. ...
  • Deregulation. People were meant to trade with each other. ...
  • Technology. Technology has always played a pivotal role in economic growth. ...
  • Human Resources. ...
  • Infrastructure.

Can foreigners invest in Indian market? ›

Yes, foreigners are allowed to trade shares directly on the Indian stock market through the Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) route. They need to register with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) and comply with the regulations set by SEBI and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Is it safe to invest in Indian market? ›

To answer the question at large: yes, it is safe to invest in the Indian stock markets; however, as with all investments, one must research and plan accordingly. Without proper research and planning, investors tend to make unwise decisions that eventually lead to losses.

What is the simplest way to enter a foreign market? ›

The simplest way to enter a foreign market is through exporting. The company may passively export its surpluses, or it may make a commitment to expand exports to a particular market. In either case the company produces all its goods in the home country though it may make changes to them for the export market.

Which type of trading is best for beginners in India? ›

The Indian Stock Market is a great place to start investing your money, especially for beginners. It offers an excellent opportunity for people who want to get into the market without having to worry about the technicalities of buying and selling stocks. The stock market in India offers many advantages to investors.

Can I trade in India from USA? ›

US-based NRIs are allowed by US regulations to trade and invest in Indian stock markets along with other countries. Indian regulations allow NRIs to trade and invest in specific securities with some regulatory restrictions. So, US NRIs can trade and invest in Indian stock markets.

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