Interview with Tarun Joshi, Founder & CEO of IGP.com

An exclusive interview with Tarun Joshi, Founder & CEO of IGP.com, a global multi-category gifting company

In the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of e-commerce, few entrepreneurs have left an indelible mark on the industry quite like Tarun Joshi, the visionary Founder and CEO of IGP.com. With an unwavering commitment to transforming the art of gifting into a seamless and joyous experience, Mr. Joshi has propelled IGP.com into becoming a global juggernaut in the multi-category gifting sector.

Armed with innovation, foresight, and a passion for creating lasting memories, Tarun Joshi’s journey is not only a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit but also a source of inspiration for aspiring business leaders around the world.

Can you tell us about the inspiration and journey behind the founding of IGP? What motivated you to enter the gifting industry?

Tarun Joshi: Since early age, I have stayed away from family and would frequently miss being part of important occasions and festivals. As a consumer, I noticed a gap in the market for a reliable gifting and celebrations platform that could offer quality products combined with a great delivery experience.  There was also a need for timely reminders, curated products, last-minute delivery, and personalization options to make gifting more convenient and enjoyable for consumers.

IGP also recognized that every year, India celebrates over 500 crore special moments, both personal occasions and public festivities. Gifting for festivals and other special occasions is a tradition with a target market size of over $90 billion pa. However, there was no single destination that offered the consumer an end-to-end solution for gifting.

To address these issues, I thought of creating a technology-driven platform that could simplify sending gifts globally and help consumers celebrate special moments. We founded IGP in 2016 with a vision to become the go-to destination for all occasions and help people enrich their relationships.

IGP is a global player in the gifting market. Could you share some insights into the challenges and opportunities that come with operating in such a diverse and competitive landscape?

Tarun Joshi: Our challenges were identical to the ones any D2C business would face in its initial stages – a disorganized market that needs upheaval and disruption through innovative products, supply chain, and technology.

When we went about revamping IGP, it proved to be an arduous task. We had to create a proprietary tech platform from scratch, build our own farm-to-table supply chain, and create our own last-mile delivery infrastructure. Our efforts paid off as we became the world’s first vertically integrated celebrations company with a strong and growing base of consumers who trust us in conveying their emotions to their loved ones during all occasions.

How has IGP adapted to changing consumer preferences and trends in the gifting industry over the years?

Tarun Joshi: We aim to keep launching new categories and products based on insights gathered from our existing catalog and market trends to better serve the needs of flourishing Indian households. For Indians, gift-giving during occasions or rituals are a moment of happiness, a time to bond and celebrate. Consumers are therefore turning more and more toward online retailers for quality products, personalization, and convenience.

We are proud to share that we already have a strong presence in tier 2 and tier 3 cities in India and are constantly expanding our brand presence even further. We offer same-day delivery to almost 400+ cities, 24 to 72-hour delivery in 1000+ cities . Our brand has a global footprint with customers in 100+ countries and is capable of delivering gifting items to over 150+ countries.

Customer trust and satisfaction are crucial in the e-commerce industry. How does IGP ensure a positive customer experience and maintain a strong reputation in the gifting market?

Tarun Joshi: At IGP, we understand that gifting is a very personal exercise, and we want to make sure that we provide the best possible experience to our customers. We use technology and machine learning to provide personalized recommendations as per past purchases and market trends.

We are in the business of helping our consumers enrich their relationships through our bespoke and personalized gifting range for all ages. We customize each product with precision by incorporating the client’s demands, for example, their emotion, logo, or memory, ensuring a unique and thoughtful touch.

We are always at the front to serve the best of our capabilities and help our customers enrich relationships through thoughtfully curated gifts.

The gifting industry often experiences seasonal fluctuations. How does IGP manage inventory and demand during peak gifting seasons?

Tarun Joshi: We have a robust warehousing and delivery network in place to support us during peak gifting seasons. We have three large-scale mother warehouses strategically located across the country to provide support to our 50+ network of customer fulfillment centers. Also, with the support of 1000+ delivery personnel, we ensure the fulfillment of the festive period gifting demands with utmost care and attention to detail.

What are some of the key challenges in cross-border gifting and international logistics, and how does IGP overcome them to serve a global customer base?

Tarun Joshi: One of the key challenges in cross-border gifting and international logistics is ensuring punctual deliveries that elevate the art of gift-giving. At IGP, we take pride in our mastery of arranging delightful surprises across vast distances. We strive to ensure that every gift carries an emotional impact, leaving a memorable impression.

Our global logistics network is very strong in over 150 countries with a network of trusted partners in every major city in the world as well as seamless integration with third-party global logistics companies. We cater to the same delivery service of flowers, gourmet, and gift hampers in top international cities to 5-day delivery service for Indian handmade and festive hampers.

Over the years, we have created technology-based automated solutions for the selection of delivery partners to cater to diverse issues like product selection, delivery timelines, and customs formalities at the Indian airports and at the respective delivery countries. Our special tracking mechanisms allow our gift recipients to schedule their deliveries as per their preferences.

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to enter the e-commerce and gifting industry, based on your own experiences with IGP?

Tarun Joshi: The e-commerce market in India is an interesting yet complicated space as you have to provide a significantly superior experience to your consumers. That would require creating the right combination of products, enabling supply chain, technology and distribution infrastructure. E-commerce and gifting is a large market and my advice would be to focus on customer retention through superior offerings throughout the lifecycle of your consumers.

In addition to assessing the market demand and competition, having strong USPs is very important to set your brand apart from others in the industry. A strong brand identity and exceptional customer service will not only help sustain the market but also stay on the top list of customers’ choices.

What are your success tips for young and aspiring entrepreneurs?

Tarun Joshi: As someone who has seen success in the business world, my top tip for young and aspiring entrepreneurs is to focus on persistence, execution capabilities, and getting the right team. These factors are crucial for the success of any startup. In addition, for budding online startups specifically, it is important to be agile but still create strong fundamentals for long-term sustainable growth.

It allows you to continue scaling your business without requiring too much external capital. Remember, India presents a wealth of strong and scalable business opportunities, but it takes patience, hard work and focus to make your mark in this competitive market.

As we conclude our insightful conversation with Tarun Joshi, it becomes abundantly clear that his journey as the Founder and CEO of IGP.com is a story of resilience, innovation, and a deep understanding of consumer sentiments. Under his leadership, IGP.com has not only flourished as a global multi-category gifting platform but has also redefined the way people express love and appreciation.

As Mr. Joshi continues to steer the ship of IGP.com towards new horizons, it is evident that his unwavering dedication to quality, customer satisfaction, and innovation will continue to shape the future of the gifting industry. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Tarun Joshi for sharing his insights and wish him continued success in his endeavors.

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