E-commerce boom poses a threat to local businesses in Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 29: The technological revolution has transformed every aspect of human life. From food to pharmaceuticals, everything is now available at your fingertips. While the internet has made life easier, it has notably reduced the earning prospects of local shopkeepers in Kashmir.

"The Internet took away 70 percent of our customers," says Mehraj-ud-din, a cosmetic shop owner in downtown Kashmir.

E-commerce portals provide various benefits like home delivery, easy returns, festive discounts, and seasonal sales. For many, the comfort of shopping from home outweighs the hassle of visiting a local market. "How can our small shops compete with giants like Amazon, Flipkart, and Myntra!" laments Manzoor Qadri, a Lalchowk electronic shop owner.

Although companies like Zepto and Blinkit have yet to dominate the market for daily essentials in Kashmir, other online business giants have created loyal customer bases in both urban and rural areas. "The best service provided by online businesses is their return and refund policy. Local shops don't give us any such service," says Mehjabeena, a local online shopper.

While digital business models have created favourable avenues for aspiring entrepreneurs, older shopkeepers often struggle to adapt. "I don't know how to use computers and social media. I have never been to school," says Muhammad Ismail, a 60-year-old textile shop owner.

To address this digital divide, the Government of India has launched schemes like Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) and National Digital Literacy Mission (NDLM) to promote digital literacy. The lack of digital education is more prevalent in rural areas. According to national data, 67 percent of the urban population uses the internet, while the percentage drops to 31 percent in rural areas.

Beyond digital literacy, the lack of resources to build digital infrastructure remains an obstacle. "I have a small hosiery shop. How will I spend thousands of rupees for computer and internet services?" asks Bilal Ahmed Reshi, a local shopkeeper from uptown.

Meanwhile, younger entrepreneurs in Kashmir are flourishing. "My whole business runs through Instagram," says Aisha, a small boutique owner from uptown. In many cases, younger generations operate their enterprises solely through smartphones. The reluctance to embrace digital tools has become a primary factor in the declining sales of various age-old businesses.

While digital media has undoubtedly helped businesses grow by leaps and bounds, necessary steps need to be taken to reduce the digital divide created by various factors on the ground.