Paytm has launched Paytm Force to assist and advise merchants on its platform. The service will have more that 3,000 certified ecommerce partners who will offer end-to-end services to merchants for order fulfillment, catalogue creation, account management, returns management and query resolution. The service is available in Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai. According to the company, these specialists will be made available to sellers at a subsidized rate. Currently, the platform lists account management, email handling, query/claim resolutions and seller-panel assistance services for Rs 300 per hour, with other services priced based on number of units, such as for image editing or cataloguing content. The website mentions that the prices are “indicative and negotiable”. Snapdeal professional services: In November, Snapdeal launched Professional Services Panel, a similar service for its sellers, that would allow them access to services like tax registration, cataloguing, business consulting and photography, as well as outsource support for these services from Snapdeal verified providers. Loans for sellers: Note that in November, Paytm partnered with Lendingkart to offer collateral free business loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and sellers. The companies claimed that the credit evaluation process from Lendingkart would take just 3 days, and that loans would be provided at fair interest rates.With these initiatives, Paytm wants to focus on SME development and expanding its seller base. Paytm’s acquisitions: Earlier this month Paytm acquired Shifu a consumer behavior prediction platform for an undisclosed amount. Last month Paytm acquired Gurgaon-based services marketplace Near.in for $2 million. This was…
