NEW DELHI: The e-commerce industry is likely to generate 2.5 lakh jobs in online retail this year, as hiring in the sector is expected to grow 60-65 per cent, according to a report by Assocham.

A majority of e-commerce departments and businesses has increased their turnover since last year and present a good opportunity for the industry to develop further, the report said.

India's e-commerce market was worth about $3.8 billion in 2009; it went up to $17 billion in 2014 and to $23 billion the next year. It is expected to touch $38 billion by 2016, it said.

"E-commerce industry is likely to generate nearly 2.5 lakhs jobs in the online retail in 2016 including temporary employees, supply chain, logistics, ancillary units etc.," it said.

There are nearly 3.5 lakh people working under the e-commerce industry. Also, increasing smartphone ownership and investment from retailers are fueling rapid growth of mobile-commerce in India.

Mobile-commerce, or 'm-commerce', represents only 20-25 per cent of the country's e-commerce market. This share is expected to grow as businesses, including those operating in the online to offline space such as taxis and restaurants, look to seize greater market share.

It is also likely to be further accelerated by advancements in mobile technology and improvements in security and connectivity of shopping and payment platforms.

"The hiring activities are expected to grow by over 60-65 per cent in this sector and may help create between 5-8 lakh employment opportunities in two to three years," Assocham secretary general D S Rawat said.

The chamber said m-commerce is growing rapidly as a stable and secure supplement to the e-commerce industry. As per the report, one-third of MBA students from top business schools, including the IIMs, prefer working for the fledgling e-commerce sector over traditional favourites like consulting and financial services jobs.

"India is successful in becoming the largest e-commerce market in the world. The rapid transformation in logistics, innovation, consumerism and productivity prove to be an interesting case study for other emerging economies," Mr Rawat said.
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