What is co-commerce and how does Asort work?

Asort calls itself India's first co-commerce platform. The phrase sounds technical, but the idea is easy once you see it in daily life. This article explains what co-commerce means, how Asort fits it, and what a sensible first week could look like.

What co-commerce means

Think about how you already buy things. Your cousin shows you a kurta she loves. A colleague swears by a face wash. You trust them, so you look it up and often buy it. Co-commerce builds a platform around that habit. People find products and recommend the ones they like, and the community grows through those recommendations.

The word joins "community" and "commerce". A traditional online store talks to millions of anonymous buyers. A co-commerce platform lets ordinary people take part in both the buying and the sharing.

Where Asort fits

Asort.com is the store. Its categories include Lifestyle, Electronics and Appliances, Beauty and Skincare, Kids, Men, Women and Brands. A Price Store has sections under Rs 299, Rs 499 and Rs 899, which helps if you shop with a fixed budget.

Beside the store, Asort gives people a way to build a business. Partners recommend products, look after their customers and learn through programmes. Asort also runs Experiences, which are knowledge-sharing sessions led by community leaders. For a wider look at the company, see our guide to co-commerce in India.

Who it suits

A shopper who wants fashion and lifestyle products in one app can stop at the store. A homemaker or student curious about extra income may look at the partner side, though no income is promised anywhere in this guide. A small seller who already has customers may like a wider catalogue and a community to learn from.

The pieces you will come across

You can browse on asort.com or download the Asort app. Use official links only. Asort's own labels are Ifazone, Mr Huffman, Cape & Cloth, ABG, Amiiga, Solasta and Kuefit, covering fashion, beauty and activewear.

Programmes and campaigns such as Race to ACE, the Digital A-Preneur Program and AGS T3 (Teach, Train, Thrive) appear on the Asort blog. The Asort Women Community and seller partner events give people a place to ask questions and learn from others. The exact rules for every programme sit on the official platform.

How it differs from ordinary online shopping

On a regular shopping site you browse, pay and wait for delivery. On Asort you can do exactly that. The extra option is to join the selling side, with training and campaigns around it. Nobody has to take that option.

Things to keep in mind

Read the official terms before you act on anything, because programme rules and offers can change. Be wary of anyone who guarantees quick money. Never share your OTP, PIN or bank password with a caller who says they are from Asort, and read our note on fraud calls in Asort's name. Most people start small and learn as they go, so give yourself time.

Asort's public material also covers initiatives beyond sales. One is #NowIsFemale, run with The Earth Saviours Foundation, which our overview of the Asort Women Community describes. Another is the Asort Diwali Corner, which marked Braille Day. They show that the platform presents itself as more than a store, and you can judge how much that matters to you.

A simple first week

1. Browse the store and note three products you honestly like.
2. Read the official joining details on asort.com or in the app.
3. Look at the training and community sessions on offer.
4. Decide whether you want to shop only, or shop and share.

When you are ready for the next step, follow our walkthrough on how to join Asort, or open the Asort guide for the full picture.