YouTube recently inked a definitive agreement to acquire local social commerce startup Simsim, making its entry into India’s highly contested social commerce market.
Simsim is an app that connects local businesses, influencers, and customers via influencer-based videos. Available in three regional languages and has raised around $16 Million from investors such as Shunwei Capital and Accel Partners, Simsim currently boasts three regional variants with six regional languages supported.
Trekkers Retreat
Trekkers Retreat is an elegant getaway located near Sunnaryan Temple. Ideal for relaxing and unwinding, guests can also experience jungle safaris and other exciting activities at this property – plus stunning views of snow-capped mountains! Moreover, its picturesque lawn provides ample room to spread out and relax.
Trekking vacations abound, with some luxurious packages taking it further by offering spa services, gourmet food, and plush beds as perks of daily treks. While these trips can be physically demanding, they’re also an excellent way to meet like-minded individuals while meeting people of similar interests – with accommodations and meals included within the price of travel.
Dharamshala
Dharamshala is an ideal destination for authentic Tibetan goods and handicrafts, attracting visitors from various regions annually. Additionally, there are multiple shopping places within Dharamshala offering different items for tourists to buy; among these shopping areas, Kotwali Bazaar stands out as being primarily well known – with shops selling woolen garments and Tibetan-themed merchandise as well as restaurants and roadside stalls selling traditional Tibetan dishes like Momos and Thupkas.
Village Boutique in Dharamshala is another popular Simsim shopping spot, selling items of Tibetan heritage such as singing bowls – unique objects that produce melodious tunes when rubbed with wooden sticks – used worldwide for meditational and spiritual purposes. This shop also provides wall hangings and products designed to connect visitors with Tibetan and Himachal Pradesh culture.
Namgyal Book Shop in Dharamshala is an acclaimed bookstore specializing in Tibetan culture and Buddhist books, known for their beautifully bound copies that inform and look spectacular. A must-visit shop for all who wish to learn about Tibetan history and philosophy – yet its prices remain affordable with excellent customer service!
How Can You Reach Dharamshala From Mumbai? Traveling to Dharamshala from Mumbai is relatively straightforward as multiple bus routes run daily and private taxi services; alternatively, you could opt for more costly personal taxi services available through RedBus or local travel agents. Kangra Airport, just 30 minutes away by car, is nearby, or take an internal flight from other major Indian cities directly into Dharamshala for even easier travel options.
Dharamshala’s ideal time of visitation is December to March, when temperatures range from mild and sunny during the daytime to 6degC at nighttime, making this period perfect for sightseeing and trekking activities. Please be aware that the weather can become cooler during rainy seasons.
Mandira
Simsim was established by Amit Bagaria, Kunal Suri, and Saurabh Vashishtha in 2019 as an influencer-based social commerce platform to assist Indian small businesses in transitioning to online commerce. Through its app – known as Simsim – local companies could connect with influencers and customers by hosting videos in three regional languages – simm was acquired by YouTube in mid-2021 for over $70 million.
YouTube’s foray into India’s highly competitive social commerce landscape marks its debut into this highly contested space, where its goal is to help small businesses and retailers gain new customers in “even more powerful ways.” YouTube will gain access to influencers with expertise in Indian products and influencers with extensive market knowledge.
The company will continue working closely with the Simsim team to shape the future of India’s online video commerce. But rather than make any immediate modifications to the Simsim app itself, they will focus on ways of showcasing products to YouTube viewers through videos and providing users with additional details about each item offered by it. Furthermore, they plan on introducing features that make finding suitable products and comparing prices easier for customers.
Siddhivinayak
The Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai is an important Hindu place of worship, drawing in hundreds of thousands of visitors daily to pray their wishes come true. Dating back more than two centuries, this over 200-year-old shrine attracts devotees from across India and is home to an array of small shops selling everything from religious statues to incense. If you visit in the early morning, you might also spot Bollywood stars or cricketers.
Google-owned YouTube announced in its blog post that they have acquired Indian startup Simsim, which specializes in live social commerce, for an undisclosed sum. Simsim’s app connects local businesses, influencers, and customers through influencer-based videos in three local languages; its acquisition will enable YouTube to help Indian enterprises reach customers even more effectively through this channel.
YouTube’s acquisition marks its entry into India’s rapidly expanding social commerce market, where more users than ever rely on video to compare products and find trustworthy recommendations. According to CB Insights Intelligence Unit estimates, social-video commerce platforms currently account for $1.5 billion of gross merchandise value in India; CB predicts this number could grow up to almost $20 billion by 2025 and $70 billion by 2030 – YouTube will now provide this ever-increasing audience with a seamless shopping experience through their acquisition.
