Amazon India's chief steps down amid rising market competition
What's the story
Manish Tiwary, the head of Amazon's operations in India, has resigned from his position. He took over as country manager in late 2020. His departure comes at a time when the e-commerce giant is facing increasing competition in the Indian market. Despite investing over $7 billion in the country, Amazon has struggled to compete with domestic rivals Flipkart and Meesho.
Leadership change
Tiwary's tenure and Amazon's strategic shifts
Tiwary is leaving amid the US-based company's strategic shift toward its cloud business. His resignation also coincides with the discontinuation of several other initiatives by the firm, including its food delivery venture. An Amazon spokesperson confirmed Tiwary's departure to TechCrunch, and praised his leadership over the past few years.
Market hurdles
Amazon's challenges in India
Amazon has encountered difficulties in expanding into smaller cities and towns across India. Industry experts suggest that these challenges stem from a limited product range for price-sensitive customers and underdeveloped logistics networks. In urban areas, the company is also facing stiff competition from quick commerce firms like BlinkIt, Zepto, and Swiggy that promise rapid delivery times of as little as 10 minutes.
Succession plan
Transition period and future leadership
Tiwary will continue with Amazon until October to ensure a smooth transition. The company's spokesperson emphasized India's importance to Amazon and expressed optimism about future opportunities in the country. Amit Agarwal, SVP India and Emerging Markets, will remain closely involved with the Amazon.in team during this transition period.