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  • March 2022
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DealShare: Social E-Commerce for the Indian Mass Market

By: Krishna G. Palepu and Malini Sen
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Abstract

Launched in September 2018, e-retail startup DealShare has created a tech-enabled model for the Indian mass market that allows customers to buy together, save money on good quality goods, and at the same time have fun. It targets customers who are still getting used to the Internet for commerce and for whom big e-commerce players are not an ideal option. As DealShare transitions from a regional to a national company, the founders are at a crossroads. Until now, they have prioritized profitability at the unit economics level over growth. Now that they are confident that the DealShare concept can be profitable, should they relax their commitment to profitability and expand rapidly to preempt competition? Will the investments required and added complexity derail the company’s success?

Keywords

Business Model; Disruption; Trends; Talent and Talent Management; Customer Focus and Relationships; Value; Cost vs Benefits; Value Creation; India

Citation

Palepu, Krishna G., and Malini Sen. "DealShare: Social E-Commerce for the Indian Mass Market." Harvard Business School Case 322-099.
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About The Author

Krishna G. Palepu

Accounting and Management
→More Publications

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More from the Authors
  • Swvl: Smart Mobility for the Masses By: Krishna Palepu, Esel Çekin and Menna Hassan
  • ReNew Power: Leading the Energy Transition in India By: Gunnar Trumbull and Malini Sen
  • Ant Group (B) By: Krishna G. Palepu, Feng Zhu and Susie L. Ma
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