How to Sell on Ajio in India?

Ajio’s customers are trendy, urban, and love fashion. To succeed, your products should reflect this. Here are some of the best categories and ideas:

1. Ethnic and Fusion Wear

It is a key part of Indian fashion.

• High-Demand: Modern sarees (organza, hand-painted), simple kurta sets, and pre-draped sarees.
• Niche Idea: Handloom and artisan collections that tell a unique story.

2. Contemporary Western Wear:

Focus on modern styles and quality fabrics.

• High-Demand: Co-ord sets, oversized blazers, wide-leg trousers, and stylish dresses.
• Niche Idea: Sustainable and eco-friendly fashion lines using organic cotton or recycled materials.

3. Fashion Accessories

Accessories that look expensive do very well.

• High-Demand: Statement jewelry, simple gold-plated pieces, and handcrafted leather bags.
• Niche Idea: Vegan leather accessories or personalized jewelry.

4. Footwear

There's a big market for both casual and special occasion footwear.

• High-Demand: Stylish sneakers, modern ethnic juttis, and block heels.
• Niche Idea: Handcrafted or customized footwear.

5. Indie and Boutique Brands

Ajio has a special "Indie" section for unique, homegrown brands.

• High-Demand: Products with a unique design style, block prints, and special craftsmanship.
• Niche Idea: Focus on a specific craft from a region of India and build your brand story around it.

Follow these proven steps to register your business, list your products, and grow your brand on one of India's leading fashion e-commerce platforms.

Step 1: Understand Ajio's Business Model

Before you begin, you need to understand how Ajio operates. Ajio mainly works on a curated marketplace model, sometimes called B2B2C (Business-to-Business-to-Consumer), where one business sells to another, which then sells to the end consumer.

a. You Sell to Ajio, Ajio Sells to Customers:

As a seller, you supply your products to Ajio. They are then listed and sold on the platform. Ajio handles the customer-facing experience, including shipping and final delivery. This ensures a consistent brand experience for the shopper.

b. Focus on Selection:

Ajio is not an open-for-all marketplace. It handpicks sellers and brands that match its style and quality standards. This means having a strong brand identity and a unique product catalog is key to getting approved.

Step 2: Check Your Eligibility

To sell on Ajio, you must operate as a legal and active business in India. Ajio does not allow individual sellers without a registered business. You must be registered as one of the following:

• A business owned and run by one person can register as a Sole Proprietorship with a personal PAN card.
• A Partnership Firm , run by two or more partners with a formal Partnership Deed, is also accepted.
• Private limited companies , which are separate legal entities offering limited liability, can register using the company’s PAN card .
• Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) , combining the benefits of partnerships and companies with limited liability, are eligible too.

Step 3: Prepare Your Documents

Gathering all your documents beforehand will make the registration process much easier. Here is a checklist of the key documents you will need:

• Tax Compliance: You must register for GST for a valid Goods and Services Tax Identification Number (GSTIN). You cannot sell on Ajio without it.
• PAN Card: You will need your business PAN card (for companies/LLPs) or your personal PAN card (for sole proprietorships).
• Business Registration Proof: Certificate of Incorporation (for companies), Partnership Deed , or other relevant registration papers.
• Bank Account Details: A cancelled cheque and details of a current bank account in the name of the business.
• Trademark Certificate: Having a registered trademark for your brand is highly recommended and often required. It proves your ownership and greatly increases your chances of approval.
• MSME Certificate (Optional): While not mandatory, having an MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) certificate can add to your business's credibility and provide easier access to bank loans at a lower interest rate.

Step 4: The Ajio Seller Registration Process

Once your documents are ready, you can officially start the registration process. This is handled through the central Reliance supplier portal.

1. Go to the Official Portal:

   • Go to supplierregistration.ril.com
   • The only legitimate way to register is through the official Reliance Retail supplier portal named ‘SupplierFirst’.
   • Be careful of any third-party sites claiming to offer registration.

2. Start New Supplier Registration:

   • On the portal's homepage, choose the option for "New Supplier Registration."
   • You will be asked if you are a domestic or international supplier.

3. Verify Your PAN Details:

   • The first and most important step is to enter your business PAN number and the legal name connected to it.
   • Make sure the name matches exactly what is on the PAN card.
   • You will also need to upload a clear scanned copy of the PAN card.

4. Complete the Application Form:

   • After PAN verification, you will move to a detailed form where you must fill in all your business information.
   • This includes your company's registered address, contact details, business type, and other operational details.

5. Submit and Await Review:

   • Double-check all the information and uploaded documents for accuracy before you submit.
   • Once submitted, your application enters the review queue.
   • The Ajio onboarding team will then begin to check your brand and documents.

Step 5: Getting Through the Onboarding and Approval Stages

Submitting your application is just the beginning. The onboarding process has several layers:

• Initial Check: The team first checks the legal and financial documents you've submitted.
• Brand and Product Review: Ajio's category team will look at your brand's online presence (website, social media) and your product catalog. They may ask for product samples to check the quality. They are looking for unique designs, high-quality materials, and products that fit their target customers.
• Commercial Agreement: If your brand is shortlisted, you will discuss the commercial terms, like the commission structure and payment schedules.
• Account Activation: Once all terms are agreed upon and checks are complete, your Ajio seller account will be activated. You will then receive your login details for the Ajio Seller Central portal.

Step 6: Create Great Product Listings

Your product listing is your digital shop window. You must have high-quality and detailed listings on Ajio.

• Professional Photos: Invest in high-resolution, professional photoshoots that match Ajio's clean, modern style. Multiple angles, lifestyle shots, and clear product images are essential.
• Detailed and Accurate Descriptions: Write clear, interesting, and accurate descriptions. Include all relevant details like fabric, dimensions, wash care, and fit.
• Smart Keywords: Use relevant keywords in your product titles and descriptions to show up more often in Ajio's search results.
• Follow the Templates: Use the category-specific templates provided by Ajio to upload your product catalog in bulk, making sure all required fields are filled correctly.

Step 7: Understand Ajio Fees and Pricing

To make a profit, you must include Ajio's fees in your pricing.

• Commission Fee: Ajio charges a commission between 15% to 25% on the net selling price of your product. This percentage changes based on the product category and brand. This is agreed upon during the onboarding stage.
• Logistics & Shipping Fees: Since Ajio handles shipping, sellers are charged shipping charges. These fees depend on the product's weight, size, and the customer's location.
• Payment Gateway Fees: A small percentage (usually around 2%) may be charged for processing online payments.
• Pricing Your Products: Figure out your break-even point by adding the product cost, Ajio's commission, shipping fees, payment gateway charges, and your desired profit margin.

Step 8: Handle Order Management and Fulfillment

Once your products are live, you need to handle orders efficiently through the Seller Central dashboard.

• Receive Orders: You will be notified of new orders in the seller portal.
• Pack by the Rules: Ajio provides specific guidelines and branded packaging materials that you must use.
• Mark "Ready for Dispatch": Once packed, you must mark the order as "Ready for Dispatch" in the portal within the given time.
• Handover to Shipping Partner: Ajio's shipping partner (like Blue Dart or Delhivery) will pick up the packed orders from your warehouse or business location.

Step 9: Manage Payments and Accounts

Ajio follows a set payment schedule.

• Payment Cycle: Payments for successfully delivered orders (minus all fees and commissions) are sent to your registered bank account. The cycle is typically weekly or bi-weekly, as decided in your commercial agreement.
• Reconciliation: Use the reports in Seller Central to check your accounts, tracking sales, returns, and payments to make sure everything adds up.

Selling on AJIO can be very rewarding if you take the right steps to stand out. Here’s how to improve your sales as a seller on the platform:

• Improve Your Product Listings: Use clear photos, detailed descriptions, and relevant keywords.
• Set Smart Prices: Stay competitive and offer discounts during sales or festive periods.
• Focus on Quality: Ensure every product is well-made and thoroughly checked before shipping.
• Speed Up Order Processing: Pack and ship quickly, update stock regularly, and follow AJIO’s packing guidelines.
• Build Your Brand Image: Promote your brand on social media and share customer reviews.
• Add New and Trendy Items: Keep up with trends and launch fresh collections during peak shopping times.
• Quality is Key: From the fabric to the final stitch, quality control is a must. Ajio's reputation relies on it, and so will yours.
• Join in on Promotions: Take part in Ajio's marketing events and seasonal sales (like the "Big Bold Sale") to get more visibility and boost your sales.

Selling on Ajio can open up great opportunities, but it also comes with specific challenges. Here’s a quick look at common issues sellers face—and practical ways to overcome them: