A new Indonesian website believes sporting goods is a niche no-one is exploiting – and it wants to be the local version of Zappos.

Sportdio was launched in July and already offers more than 2000 sporting items – including shoes, bags and fragrances – online. TechinAsia.com reports the startup claims to have served more than 300 customers so far, generating Rp 20 million (US$1,600) in revenue each month.

Sportdio is bootstrapped by a three-man team, led by co-founder Steven Djohan who has spent the last four years working in Accenture and Coca Cola. Inspired by Zappos, the team differentiates itself by offering free shipping in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi – as well as the longest return guarantee offered by an ecommerce store in Indonesia at 100 days. For comparison, Zalora and Lazada Indonesia offer 30-day and 14-day return guarantees respectively.

“We hope we can be like Zappos one day. Long Live Tony!” says Djohan.

To return any goods at Sportdio, customers need to email photos of the product, along with the box and tags. After Sportdio approves the return, the customer can send the package to a designated address.

Although the team has such a long return guarantee, Djohan says it is experiencing a return rate of only about five per cent – about the same as in the general eCommerce scene according to its research.

He says the company has not encountered anyone who abuses their return policy just yet. “It’s not the matter of days, because the same thing can happen in seven days or 30 days,” said Djohan.

The team’s biggest challenge right now is managing the supply chain. They are open to talk to any third party for possible collaborations, especially one who can leverage Sportdio’s supply chain execution.

Sportdio’s rivals in Indonesia include Sportdeca1, Sportkita, and Planet Sports.

Republished with the permission of TechInAsia.com. Click here to read more eCommerce news from around Asia.