D2C Brand Playbook: Launching an E-commerce Brand in India

India's D2C boom is real, but launching well takes more than a website. Here is the essential playbook.

1. Foundations

Register your entity and GST, secure a trademark, and set up payments — UPI, cards, netbanking and COD, which still drives a big share of orders.

2. Channels

Combine your own store (Shopify or custom) with marketplaces (Amazon, Flipkart, Nykaa) for reach. Own store protects margin and data; marketplaces bring traffic.

3. Logistics

Use 3PL or marketplace fulfilment for pan-India delivery and returns. Plan for a high RTO (return-to-origin) rate on COD.

4. Growth

Performance ads (Meta, Google), influencer marketing and WhatsApp retention drive sales. Track CAC and repeat rate relentlessly.

Statura builds your store, integrates payments/logistics and runs growth.