{
  "name": "SW Cybernetics Indian E-commerce Operating Benchmarks",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "methodology_url": "https://swcybernetics.in/press/methodology",
  "corrections_url": "https://swcybernetics.in/press/corrections",
  "as_of": "August 2026",
  "rows": [
    {
      "topic": "Amazon advertising",
      "value": "16–22%",
      "unit": "ACOS (%)",
      "period": "FY2025–26",
      "basis": "Internal benchmark",
      "source": "SW Cybernetics internal benchmark, accounts we operate",
      "source_url": "https://swcybernetics.in/press/methodology",
      "methodology_url": "https://swcybernetics.in/press/methodology",
      "notes": "Steady-state band observed across Amazon India accounts we operate; excludes launch and event periods. Not a market average and not weighted by category or spend.",
      "license": "CC BY 4.0"
    },
    {
      "topic": "Amazon advertising",
      "value": "9–12%",
      "unit": "ad spend as % of GMV",
      "period": "FY2025–26",
      "basis": "Internal benchmark",
      "source": "SW Cybernetics internal benchmark, accounts we operate",
      "source_url": "https://swcybernetics.in/press/methodology",
      "methodology_url": "https://swcybernetics.in/press/methodology",
      "notes": "Steady-state band for established listings. New launches sit materially higher. Observed on the accounts we operate, not a market survey.",
      "license": "CC BY 4.0"
    },
    {
      "topic": "Fashion returns",
      "value": "21–28%",
      "unit": "return rate (%)",
      "period": "FY2025–26",
      "basis": "Internal benchmark",
      "source": "SW Cybernetics internal benchmark, apparel accounts we operate",
      "source_url": "https://swcybernetics.in/press/methodology",
      "methodology_url": "https://swcybernetics.in/press/methodology",
      "notes": "Apparel-only band across the marketplace accounts we operate. Varies sharply by price point, size chart quality and platform mix; not a category-wide figure.",
      "license": "CC BY 4.0"
    },
    {
      "topic": "Agency adoption",
      "value": "₹5–15 Cr",
      "unit": "annual revenue (INR)",
      "period": "FY2025–26",
      "basis": "Internal benchmark",
      "source": "SW Cybernetics internal observation, inbound brands",
      "source_url": "https://swcybernetics.in/press/methodology",
      "methodology_url": "https://swcybernetics.in/press/methodology",
      "notes": "Revenue band at which brands approaching us typically move marketplace operations from in-house to agency-led. Reflects our own inbound mix and is not representative of all Indian D2C brands.",
      "license": "CC BY 4.0"
    },
    {
      "topic": "Government e-Marketplace",
      "value": "60–180 days",
      "unit": "days (sales cycle)",
      "period": "FY2025–26",
      "basis": "Internal benchmark",
      "source": "SW Cybernetics internal benchmark, GeM onboarding work",
      "source_url": "https://swcybernetics.in/press/methodology",
      "methodology_url": "https://swcybernetics.in/press/methodology",
      "notes": "Elapsed time from a listed GeM catalogue to a first awarded order on the onboardings we have run. Highly dependent on category and buyer department.",
      "license": "CC BY 4.0"
    },
    {
      "topic": "Electronics compliance",
      "value": "BIS CRS",
      "unit": "mandatory registration",
      "period": "Current as of 2026",
      "basis": "Regulatory / published source",
      "source": "Bureau of Indian Standards — Compulsory Registration Scheme",
      "source_url": "https://www.bis.gov.in/product-certification/registration-scheme/",
      "methodology_url": "https://swcybernetics.in/press/methodology",
      "notes": "BIS CRS registration is a statutory prerequisite for notified electronics sold in India, including online. Timelines are set by BIS, not by us — check the BIS portal for current processing times rather than quoting a duration to us.",
      "license": "CC BY 4.0"
    }
  ]
}