The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has put the Indian eCommerce industry in top gear. It is experiencing rapid growth, with a significant increase in new companies entering the eCommerce landscape. Recent estimates by Mordor Intelligence and IBEF suggest that nearly 5,000 new eCommerce brands launch every year in India. While demand for new and improved products is one primary factor, increasing internet penetration, the rise in social media engagement and content consumption, and favourable government policies that support digital commerce are also aiding this growth.
In 2023 alone, the Indian eCommerce market clocked a Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of USD 60 billion, showcasing a 22% increase from the preceding year. This upward trend is projected to continue, indicating that the market will touch the USD 300 billion mark by 2030, as per IBEF.
Moreover, the e-retail market alone is anticipated to surpass USD 160 billion by 2028, driven by the strong adoption of online shopping across a multitude of categories. These majorly include fashion, beauty and personal care, electronics, and groceries.
While the picture looks beautiful, compelling people to start their eCommerce businesses, the journey comes with its own set of challenges. New online sellers, especially those just starting out, have to consider many facets beyond setting up a consumer-friendly website and means to skyrocket their sales. One such facet, or to say a challenge, is offering cash on delivery (COD) as a payment option and bearing the risk of high return-to-origins (RTOs).

In 2024, cash-on-delivery (COD) continues to be one of the popular payment methods. Nearly 70% of people prefer COD over other digital modes. That's primarily because COD offers a series of benefits to consumers, especially financial security. Other factors are as follows.
- Consumer Trust: Many shoppers prefer to see and inspect products before making payments. This is especially true for new brands that have not yet established trust with their customers.
- Accessibility: COD offers a go-to payment option for shoppers who do not have access to or prefer not to use digital payment methods.
- Conversion Rates: Offering COD can significantly boost conversion rates for online sellers, as it removes a major barrier to purchase for many Indian shoppers.
This preference underscores the need for a robust COD management system that can handle the intricacies and challenges associated with COD transactions, especially high RTO rates.
The Kwik COD app by GoKwik, the best alternative to the Shopify Advanced COD app, addresses these consumer preferences. It ensures that online sellers can manage COD orders effectively and efficiently. Moreover, its advanced features help minimize the risks and costs associated with COD, making it a vital tool for online sellers.