Sneakerheads Beware! Highest Percentage Of Fake Online Sales In Shoe Category

One in five consumers reported that they received one or more counterfeit products in the last 12 months while buying from online sellers, according to a national study by LocalCircles. The highest percentage of fake products sold on e-commerce platforms were in the shoes, cosmetics and fragrances categories.

Out of those consumers, only 39% were able to receive a replacement, with 41% not being able to do so due to terms and conditions from the platform or the seller, or not initiating grievance redressal.

One in four consumers stated that they found a direct way to report their counterfeit products, while the remaining 43% found no way of reporting fake products on the platforms.

The study also said that 48% of the consumers who purchased goods via online platforms and had the seller or platform ship a completely different product (as compared to what they ordered). They said they got stuck with the wrong product due to seller or platform terms. Consumers stated this practice was more prevalent in platforms like Meesho and Flipkart.

While 46% of the consumers in the survey indicated that they were always able to return products and get a refund. When it comes to e-commerce platforms, 79% of consumers preferred Amazon for returns.

Meesho and Tata Neu was preferred by just 2% consumers and Ajio by just 1%. Flipkart was preferred by just 3% consumers, but its subsidiary Myntra was liked by 6% consumers.

In the quick commerce sphere, it was found that 22% of consumers preferred Big Basket for returns and refunds while 13% preferred Swiggy Instamart and Blinkit. Only 6% preferred Zepto.

Most reported not being happy with the return and refund policies of quick commerce platform with 31% of consumers reporting their disatisfaction.

"The LocalCircles study received over 102,000 responses from online shoppers located in over 327 districts of the country. 63% respondents were men while 37% respondents were women. 41% respondents were from tier 1, 28% from tier 2 and 31% respondents were from tier 3, 4, 5 and rural districts," the study said.