While major retail concepts have traditionally originated from the US or China, the company Epik, which created the 'Try and Buy Everything' store, held an Epiklogue event for its brand partners on September 18th.
Epik is an e-commerce experience marketplace based in Bangalore that is developing the world's first 'Try and Buy Everything' store. The event gathered leaders from smart home, smartphone, personal electronics, kitchen, and cleaning appliance industries, as well as representatives from non-electronic categories such as cosmetics, perfumes, premium tableware, travel accessories, and luxury apparel. The main topic of discussion was the future of the modern Indian consumer in the mass premium segment.
For the first time in the world, Epik offers customers a choice between the 'Try at Home' option, where an expert visits the buyer, and 'Try via Video,' where an expert demonstrates the product in real-time through a video call. In both cases, the expert shows the product, explains its features, compares options, and helps the customer make the best choice. Only after this does the purchase take place. Because of this, purchases made this way have a high degree of confidence, resulting in a return rate for Epik hovering around zero or low single digits.
In the age of artificial intelligence, where everything looks flawless but what you see cannot be fully trusted, people need a reliable human. Epik's answer lies in the 'human in the loop' principle: an expert who guides each customer to a product suitable for their specific needs, supported by the company's patented AI.
Behind every Epik experience is the world's first e-commerce experience engine, which manages the entire level of service and order fulfillment. It determines the necessary number of demonstration samples, places them with relevant partners, and matches each customer with the nearest available representative at a convenient time for them.
Several multi-billion dollar multinational corporations have already entered into partnership agreements with Epik through exclusive product launches. During the current festive season, they are also offering special promotions to customers through the 'Try and Buy' model.
Epik occupies a middle ground between two of the country's largest purchasing models. E-commerce is like an ocean with endless and overwhelming choices and unpleasant after-sales service. Modern retail is a lake with a limited assortment that is good for trying on but not for buying.
Epik represents a river that combines AI-personalized product cataloging with a warm, home-like experience.
The highlight of the event was a 45-minute stand-up set by Anmol Garg. He mocked the everyday difficulties of purchasing premium goods in Bangalore, including traffic and weather issues, and jokingly teased some of the brand partners present at the event. The atmosphere remained lively throughout the night as partners exchanged ideas and comments long after the show ended.
In a world where we are accustomed to most retail innovations happening in the US or China, Epik is a refreshing addition. The company has created a truly unique trading model, becoming a pioneer in e-commerce experience, thereby putting India on the global commercial map. As a country, we have already begun taking steps toward truly innovative models in fintech, deep tech, and space technology.
Manu Sharma, Managing Director of Dreame Technology, India, stated: 'Premium technologies are best understood when you experience them at home. With Epik, consumers can see Dreame products in action, feel their performance in real conditions, and then make a purchase with greater confidence. This brings the showroom experience right to the consumer's doorstep.'
Pushpa V, Head of Marketing at Philips India (Personal Care), noted that modern consumers want to understand a product deeper than just its functions. 'They want to experience how it works for them. Epik's 'Try and Buy' approach makes this experience part of the purchasing process, helping customers make more confident decisions in premium categories.'
Gotam Gouda, Founder and CEO of Epik, believes that Indian buyers have long been forced to choose between excess and deficiency. 'We created Epik at this perfect intersection as an AI plus human solution. Every customer deserves a real expert next to them, at home or via video, and any delay in the checkout process is a lost sale for the brand. We solve both these problems. The future of mass premium purchasing is Epik.'
