Shopping assistant 'QOIE' launched in city

KOLKATA: City based Laranya Infoedge Pvt. Ltd. has unveiled QOIE — a one-stop information hub that provides online, details of outlets for offline shopping across the city according to product category.

QOIE brings malls, markets and hi-street stores on a common platform to serve consumers with location-wise information to benefit consumers and retailers. While consumers looking to shop get reliable information on their fingertips, the retailers enjoy enhanced visibility and hence increased traffic. The initiative is supported by promoters of Rupa & Co.

Now live in Kolkata, QOIE, has been introduced for iOS and Android users and also on Internet, with more than 1.5 lakh retailers stocking 400-plus national brands. Starting with Kolkata, the application aims to cover 35 Indian cities by 2019.

Elaborating on the app, QOIE director Manish Agarwal said, "Our aim is to change the way consumers make their purchase decision. We feel the future lies in going 'phygital'."

QOIE blends physical and digital to create an ecosystem between the retailers (malls, stores and brands) and consumers across the two worlds for a seamless experience.

"With more than 95 % sales in the retail industry still happening offline coupled with proliferation of smartphones in the country, we encourage people to 'search online, shop offline'," he added. A sum of Rs 5 crore has been earmarked for national expansion of 'QOIE' over the next 18-24 months, said Agarwal.

Consumers have the option to browse across 22 categories on QOIE, ranging from antiques, beauty and health, books, stationery and cameras to toys and baby products, and watches and jewellery.