Homeshopping.pk, a small Pakistani online retail startup, becomes one of the top 5 Omni-Channel Retailers of the World

Homeshopping.pk is one of 7 finalists for the award of Best Omni-Channel Retail Store

Few would have foreseen the retail success that the Homeshopping Network, Pakistan has achieved within the span of a few years. From its meager beginnings as a small startup operating out of a bedroom-turned-office in the bustling metropolis of Karachi, Pakistan, the Homeshopping Network has come a very long way. Founder and CEO, Shayaan Tahir could not possibly have predicted in 2006, the chain of events his small online business would spur into motion, especially within a socio-economic landscape where the future of online retail was practically non-existent.But within a mere half-decade, his brainchild, homeshopping.pk, an online retail service, has grown to be one of the top 7 Best Omni Channel Retailers worldwide as recognized by the World Retail Congress (WRC 2013).

Homeshopping.pk is one of 7 finalists for the award of Best Omni-Channel Retail Store

Perhaps it isn’t as surprising when we consider the exponential growth in the number of internet users in Pakistan. According to information sourced from Wikipedia, Pakistan was home to just under 134,000 internet users in 2000 – a number which has now grown to over 30 million internet users across the country. Adjusting for population growth, internet penetration is estimated to be about 16%. Almost half of the total number of internet users in 2013 access the internet through mobile devices, showing that mobile internet penetration is about 8%. (Source: Express Tribune)

With more and more people logging on every day, it seems nearly inevitable that they would be exposed to e-commerce and retail websites like Homeshopping.pk, especially with the increasing popularity of social media which encourages shareability, greatly impacting the common man’s awareness of local and international brands.

Another socio-economic factor contributing to the rise of omni-channel retail, specifically cash on delivery, is the rising issue of security within the country. Many consumers would prefer to buy a product and have it delivered to their doorsteps, as compared to physically approaching retail outlets and small vendors in search of their product of choice.
HSN’s website also makes it easy to ‘look around’ and compare products and prices – the consumer has access to all the information they could possibly need to make a purchasing decision at their very fingertips.

Homeshopping.pk has always taken into account their customer’s demands first and foremost. They were the pioneers of cash on delivery in Pakistan, and have always provided their customers with a home delivery service. They also aim to provide their customers the lowest local prices, diligently adhering to their price-beating policy whereby customers who bring forward claims of vendors selling products at lower prices are (after extensive cross-examination) sold the product at a price that beats the lowest available price in the local market.

HSN offers unbeatable service

Very early on, Shayaan realized that his online store may not always have all the products that customers are looking for – so he established a sister site, youpickwebuy.com. If you can’t find what you’re looking for on homeshopping.pk, just send in a link to the product. What usually follows is a price quote for buying and shipping the product. Should you choose to seal the deal, the team over at HSN places an order for you, handles the payment and then has it delivered to your shipping address.

The HNS.pk retail outlet in Lahore

While the HSN first established itself selling electronic products like mobile phones and mp3 players, its retail repertoire has expanded over the years to include luxury watches and perfumes, gaming consoles, mobile phone accessories, televisions and sound systems, home décor, beauty products and a multitude of fashion accessories and clothing.

The practice of ‘exchanging’ a mobile phone and buying a newer one (minus the cost of the phone) has become a common practice among small street vendors selling mobile phones in most major cities in Pakistan. Keeping this in mind, HSN introduced a facility whereby used mobile phones can be exchanged to partially subsidize the cost of a new mobile phone purchased from the HSN webstore. They also participate as a middleman in selling off used cellphones in good condition to interested buyers on their website, making the disposal and exchange of cellphones very easy for mobile phone users who wish to upgrade to a newer or different cellphone.

The Homeshopping Network has also introduced a number of innovations that provide their growing online retail business a competitive edge over others. Their local HSN 1 year repair warranty provides electronic repairs free of cost for one year, courtesy of their certified and trained technical team. In addition to their warranty, they also have a 7 day replacement policy on warrantied products, and a 24 hour replacement policy on items without a warranty. With a team of sales representatives providing customer service around the clock, customers are given the support they require to make well-informed purchasing decisions.

Being a small startup in an emerging market has its advantages, as shown through the success of the HSN’s business model. Building the store on a foundation of e-commerce first and foremost, and then expanding operations into brick-and-mortar retail, rather than doing things the other way round, has ensured that the small startup never bit off more than it could chew.

Phones showcased at HSN’s flagship retail outlet in Karachi

The HNS.pk retail outlet in Lahore

“We started off with zero funding, and till date have never been funded by outside investors. Our business has always been a profitable one, where the company itself has managed to grow at a rapid pace all on its own,” explains Shayaan Tahir. The organic progression of the business from an online store and small office setup to a chain of retail outlets in major Pakistani cities guarantees that consumers always have a multitude of options at their fingertips when it comes to shopping for – well, just about anything!

The team at the Homeshopping Network is very proud of having secured a spot in the top 7 Best Omni-Channel Retailers worldwide, and we thank you, our dedicated and loyal customers for your continued support and well-wishes. We hope to continually provide you with an unbeatable experience – giving you the best value for money, with the kind of flexible and timely service that you desire. Keep visiting our blog and website for the latest in news, reviews and technology.