In India’s sprawling digital economy, a quiet transformation is underway. It isn’t being led by unicorn startups or elite business schools, but by everyday Indians—students, homemakers, and part-time workers—using smartphones and messaging apps to build income streams from their living rooms. Armed with catalogues from platforms like Meesho and GlowRoad, these digital resellers are rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship. Some now earn ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 a month—occasionally more—by turning social networks into sales pipelines.

This isn’t a one-off trend. It’s part of a larger movement in India’s rapidly growing social commerce sector, projected to expand from USD 7.2 billion in 2024 to over USD 54 billion by 2033, according to a report by IMARC Group. While e-commerce players like Flipkart and Amazon built the foundation, social commerce is giving smaller players—many from Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns—the power to participate, and profit.

The Real Faces of India’s Reselling Boom

Rajni Jain, a homemaker from Punjab, didn’t expect to build a profitable business from her home. But after signing up with GlowRoad, she found a niche in fashion jewellery. Managing a customer base of over 1,500 people through WhatsApp and Facebook groups, she now earns close to ₹90,000 a month. “I never imagined I’d be earning this much without stepping out,” she told YourStory in a profile on successful resellers. “GlowRoad helped me become financially independent.”

For Hanumanthu Vani Chandana, a full-time employee in Andhra Pradesh, reselling is a second income stream. Between her 9-to-6 job, she curates western wear collections and shares them with her digital community. With more than 800 regular buyers, her side hustle brings in up to ₹60,000 a month. “This model lets you work on your own terms. You’re not managing inventory or worrying about delivery logistics—just building trust,” she said in the same report.

Another name from the growing community of Meesho sellers is Sindhuja MS from Kerala. Though she trained as an engineer, her real passion was always fashion. In 2018, she began reselling clothes online. With consistent effort and a growing understanding of what her customers wanted, she turned the side gig into a stepping stone for her dream: launching her own boutique. “Meesho gave me the platform, but I had to build the business. Every order, every customer mattered,” she told Meesho’s official blog.

Platforms Built for the Masses

Meesho and GlowRoad are among the largest players in India’s social commerce ecosystem. Meesho, which reported having over 1.1 million sellers as of 2022, is built on a zero-commission model—meaning sellers keep 100% of their margin. In FY2022, sellers on Meesho collectively saved over ₹3,700 crore in commissions, helping even first-time entrepreneurs sustain their businesses.

GlowRoad, now owned by Amazon, claims over 2 million resellers. Its model is equally appealing: a vast catalogue at wholesale prices, cash-on-delivery options, and logistics support. Sellers simply select products, set a markup, and share them via WhatsApp, Instagram, or Facebook. The platforms handle shipping, returns, and payments, enabling resellers to focus on customer relations and content.

The Money and the Method

Income varies widely based on time invested, niche, and marketing efforts. Part-time resellers typically earn between ₹10,000 and ₹20,000 a month, investing two to four hours a day. Full-time sellers—those like Rajni or Hanumanthu—can see ₹25,000 to ₹60,000 or more, often working six to eight hours daily. While these earnings are not guaranteed, they represent a significant shift in how people can earn money without a physical storefront or formal capital.

Trust, however, is the currency in this model. Resellers thrive when they establish personal rapport and deliver consistently. Product quality, delivery timelines, and responsiveness often determine repeat business.

The Fine Print: Not All Smooth Sailing

Despite the promise, the business is not without its flaws. High return rates—especially in fashion—can erode profits. Some resellers report difficulties with fake orders, COD rejections, or supplier delays. Building a loyal customer base also requires time and patience. As the market becomes more crowded, differentiating one’s product offerings becomes essential.

Moreover, some platforms are better suited to certain product types. Fashion and accessories do well on Meesho, while home décor and beauty often find a better fit on GlowRoad. Understanding platform nuances can influence success more than sheer effort.

A Gateway to Self-Reliance

Social commerce’s success lies in its inclusivity. It doesn’t require coding skills, funding, or a metro city address. For many Indian women in particular, it’s opening a path to financial independence. According to Meesho, nearly 70% of their active sellers in 2023 were women, many from non-urban areas.

In a country where the female labour force participation rate remains under 25%, this kind of low-barrier entrepreneurship is more than a trend—it’s a quiet revolution.

Looking Ahead

The future of social commerce in India looks bright, but it will also be shaped by regulation, competition, and customer trust. As more people seek flexible work or side incomes, platforms must continue investing in training, fraud prevention, and user experience.

Back in Patna, Rani Kumari, another GlowRoad reseller, is optimistic. “I used to think online business was for educated people in big cities,” she says. “Now I earn enough to pay school fees and save. That changes everything.”

The boom in reselling may not make every seller rich, but it’s making thousands self-reliant—and in an economy as complex as India’s, that’s a trend worth watching.