Accelerated pace of internet penetration with internet users estimated to grow to 1.5x in just 4 years (over FY18-22E)
and a maturing space with product buyers likely to grow to 2.5x will boost internet sector in India. This will benefit
online classifieds players in job listing, matrimony and real estate – largely a play on ecosystem maturity – by
increasing their penetration in tier 2 and tier 3 cities reaping dividends of fast-evolving ecosystem (dirt-cheap data,
affordable smartphones etc.) improving macros (rising GDP and discretionary incomes) and favourable demography
(young populace).
We assess the threat to online classifieds plays from horizontal players like Google and Facebook and how some of
these are making money by investing into newer spaces. We also peep into fast-changing internet landscape, ecommerce
and e-tailing, the new emerging verticals, and how companies are trying to cope with high cash burn et al.