Rokomari.com is the largest online bookstore in Bangladesh, with a significant presence in the market. As of February 2024, Rokomari’s annual revenue is estimated to be between $5M – $10M. The website has seen a steady increase in traffic, with total visits to its top domains reaching approximately 2.7 million in the last recorded month. These figures suggest a strong market position within the e-commerce sector for books in Bangladesh. However, for a precise market share percentage, it would require access to more detailed industry data.

Rokomari, founded in 2012, is one of Bangladesh’s pioneering e-commerce platforms specializing in books. It has been a trailblazer in introducing services like cash on delivery and home delivery outside Dhaka, which were not common at the time.

History Of Rokomari Journey

Rokomari.com, founded on January 19, 2012, is a pioneering e-commerce platform in Bangladesh, initially focusing on book sales. It was established by Mahmudul Hasan Sohag, Imam Hasan Al-Amin, Abul Hasan Liton, Khairul Anam Ronnie, Ahteshamul Shams Rakib, and Jubair Bin Amin. Starting with a modest catalog of 100 books, Rokomari has expanded its offerings to include a wide range of products such as DVDs, video tutorials, sporting goods, science kits, electronics, and stationery items.

Over the years, Rokomari has grown significantly, now boasting over 200,000 books and collaborating with 1,000 publishers. The platform has introduced features like cash on delivery, on-site chatting for customer support, and sample readings for most of its books to enhance the shopping experience. This growth reflects Rokomari’s commitment to providing accessible and diverse products to its customers, solidifying its status as a key player in the Bangladeshi online retail market.

Key Aspects of Rokomari’s Success:

• Frugal Innovation: Rokomari has been recognized for its frugal approach to innovation, focusing on cost-effective solutions to improve service and efficiency.
• Growth and Inventory: From a modest beginning, Rokomari now boasts an inventory of over 200,000 titles, indicating significant growth in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and organizational expansion.
• Operational Efficiency: The company has introduced various tools and processes to automate inventory and create resources for publishers, enhancing operational efficiency.
• Customer-Centric Features: Innovations like the ‘look inside’ feature on their website and app, and improved delivery times, showcase Rokomari’s commitment to customer satisfaction.
• Digital Expansion: The launch of MuthoBoi, their e-book app, and expansion into new verticals with a model called boitoi, reflect Rokomari’s ambition to grow beyond traditional e-commerce.

Challenges and Opportunities:

• Market Competition: As the e-commerce space grows, Rokomari faces increasing competition from both local and international players.
• Logistics and Delivery: Ensuring timely delivery and managing logistics remain critical challenges, especially outside major urban centers.
• Diversification: While Rokomari has a strong foothold in the book market, diversifying into other product categories could be a strategic move to capture a larger market share.

Future Outlook: Rokomari’s journey is a testament to the power of intention, innovation, and focus. Its continued emphasis on customer-centric features and operational efficiency positions it well for future growth. As it expands its digital offerings and explores new market segments, Rokomari is poised to maintain its edge in Bangladesh’s e-commerce landscape¹.

For a more detailed analysis, you can explore the comprehensive dossier prepared by Future Startup, which delves into Rokomari’s creation, growth strategies, and interviews with its co-founder

Visit Rokomari official Website Visit Tnhe Link rokomari.com

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How does Rokomari compare to Amazon?

Comparing Rokomari to Amazon reveals some interesting contrasts and similarities:

Market Presence:

• Rokomari is a dominant player in the Bangladeshi online book market, with a strong focus on local literature and educational materials.
• Amazon is a global giant with a diverse range of products, including books, electronics, apparel, and more.

Business Model:

• Both platforms operate on an e-commerce model, but Amazon has a broader scope, including cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence.
• Rokomari maintains a more focused approach, primarily catering to the book industry and related categories.

User Experience:

• Rokomari is praised for its user-friendly website design and ease of account creation.
• Amazon offers a vast selection and sophisticated recommendation algorithms but may have a more complex account setup process.

Local Impact:

• Rokomari has significantly influenced the book culture in Bangladesh, fostering a new reading culture and supporting the local publishing industry.
• Amazon, while also impacting book sales globally, operates on a much larger scale and influences multiple industries.

Innovation and Services:

• Rokomari has introduced innovative features like ‘look inside’ for books and has expanded into e-books with its app, MuthoBoi.
• Amazon has pioneered many e-commerce innovations, such as one-click ordering, Alexa voice shopping, and drone delivery experiments.

Growth Strategy:

• Rokomari has shown steady growth by focusing on operational efficiency and customer-centric features.
• Amazon has grown through aggressive expansion, diversification, and acquisition strategies.

In summary, while Rokomari has established a strong presence in Bangladesh’s book market, Amazon operates on a global scale with a diverse product range and advanced technological infrastructure. Rokomari’s success in a niche market demonstrates the potential for local e-commerce platforms to thrive alongside global competitors like Amazon. For a more detailed comparative analysis, you might find the study on SlideShare insightful

How does Rokomari compare to other local e-commerce platforms in Bangladesh?

Rokomari stands out among local e-commerce platforms in Bangladesh for its specialized focus on books and educational materials. Here’s how it compares to other prominent platforms:

• Daraz: Daraz is the leading e-commerce site in Bangladesh, offering a wide range of products beyond books. It’s known for its vast inventory and diverse product categories.
• Pickaboo: Pickaboo is another key player, primarily focusing on gadgets and electronic devices. It ranks third in the market and is praised for its service and reliability.
• Chaldal: Chaldal is an innovative platform specializing in groceries and household items, operating in major cities like Dhaka, Jashore, and Chattogram.
• Ajkerdeal: Ajkerdeal caters to a variety of consumer needs, including fashion, electronics, and home appliances.
• Othoba: Othoba has a unique position, serving agricultural and rural markets with a range of products tailored to those sectors.

Rokomari’s success lies in its niche focus and strong customer service, particularly in the delivery of books. It holds the second rank among the best e-commerce platforms in Bangladesh, according to a survey by Brand Practitioners Bangladesh, with 27% of votes from brand-marketing experts. This focus has allowed Rokomari to cultivate a loyal customer base and maintain a significant presence in the Bangladeshi e-commerce landscape

What are some challenges Rokomari faced?

Rokomari has faced several challenges throughout its journey. Initially, the concept of e-commerce was relatively new in Bangladesh, and there were trust issues concerning online shopping. Convincing customers of the product quality and the reliability of the payment system was a significant hurdle.

Moreover, the book industry in Bangladesh wasn’t well-structured, making it difficult for Rokomari to establish itself as a household name. The transition from physical bookstores to an online platform was challenging, especially in a culture where people preferred buying books in person.

Operationally, Rokomari had to develop a unique and efficient model to serve its customers better, which included decisions around providing the best value and faster delivery. They also had to navigate the complexities of building a digital platform that could influence the market and foster a new reading culture in Bangladesh.

Despite these challenges, Rokomari has managed to become an important player in the e-commerce space, particularly in the book category, and has helped the publishing industry and reading culture in Bangladesh to thrive.

What is the future of Rokomari?

The future of Rokomari looks promising as it continues to innovate and expand its services. The company has introduced new tools and processes to improve organizational efficiency, such as automating inventory and creating tools for publishers¹. It has also launched additional services for writers and publisher partners, and for users, it keeps innovating features like the ‘look inside’ feature on its website and app.

Rokomari’s growth strategy includes improving delivery times within and outside Dhaka by working with logistics partners and venturing into logistics itself. The launch of new products like MuthoBoi, its ebook app, and expansion into relevant verticals with a model called boitoi, indicates that Rokomari is aiming to broaden its reach and influence in the e-commerce and digital content space.

Overall, Rokomari’s focus on frugal innovation, customer service, and strategic growth suggests that it will continue to be a significant player in Bangladesh’s e-commerce scene.

Impacts On Bangladesh

The impacts of Rokomari in Bangladesh are significant and multifaceted:

1. E-commerce Growth: Rokomari has been a key player in the growth of e-commerce in Bangladesh, particularly in the book industry. It has introduced a long list of features and changed the book culture in the country.
2. Industry Influence: With over 200,000+ books and partnerships with thousands of publishers, Rokomari has influenced the publishing industry and fostered a new reading culture in Bangladesh.
3. Operational Innovation: The company has developed a unique and efficient operational model that focuses on customer service, providing the best value, and faster delivery.
4. Cultural Impact: By making books more accessible, Rokomari has contributed to educational growth and literacy improvement across Bangladesh.
5. Local Development: As a 100% locally built and managed company with no external investment, Rokomari is a testament to the potential of homegrown ventures in the digital commerce space.
6. Strategic Growth: The company’s strategic and inspirational guidance offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs building digital platforms in Bangladesh.
7. Community Engagement: Rokomari has built a people-first culture where team members take ownership and are encouraged to take initiative, contributing to a positive work environment.

These impacts highlight Rokomari’s enduring edge as a digital commerce company and its role in shaping the future of online retail and content consumption in Bangladesh.