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  • April 2020 (Revised July 2020)
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Amazon in China and India

By: Krishna G. Palepu and Kairavi Dey
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:39
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Abstract

Amazon has been unsuccessful in its efforts to develop a business in China. Even though Amazon was an early entrant into China’s e-commerce space, its domestic rivals, especially Alibaba, created innovative business models uniquely suited for the conditions in China. Amazon’s failure to adapt to the local conditions in China ultimately led to its exit from the country. Determined to learn lessons from this experience as it developed its business in India, Amazon made a number of innovations in its business model in India. By 2020, Amazon established a strong presence in India. However, the company faces a number of challenges because of changes in regulation that challenge its hybrid business model of both being a seller of its own goods and a marketplace for third party sellers, the rise of strong local rivals, and its own ambition to expand beyond top tier cities and upper middle class customers in India.

Keywords

Global Strategy; Multinational Firms and Management; Emerging Markets; Business Strategy; Expansion; Business Model; Retail Industry; China; India; United States

Citation

Palepu, Krishna G., and Kairavi Dey. "Amazon in China and India." Harvard Business School Case 120-111, April 2020. (Revised July 2020.)
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About The Author

Krishna G. Palepu

Accounting and Management
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Related Work

    • April 2020 (Revised July 2020)
    • Faculty Research

    Amazon in China and India

    By: Krishna G. Palepu and Kairavi Dey
Related Work
  • Amazon in China and India By: Krishna G. Palepu and Kairavi Dey
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