Edtech platform Unacademy is branching out into the hybrid-retail model With the opening of experience stores across the country.
Unacademy is now planning to open four storefronts that will serve as an experience zone for students and parents to learn about the company’s offerings and subscription models. The stores will cater to new users interested in enrolling in Unacademy courses. Existing Unacademy students can also visit these locations to see their teachers.
The Unacademy store will have a learning counseling space, an in-house library with reading materials, and courses with top educators. The focus, however, remains on omnichannel retail rather than hybrid learning.
“We believe online education is the future. However, we think people need awareness on why online will work. It is not so much about hybrid learning but more about an omnichannel presence. We have no plans of entering a hybrid-learning model yet,” said Gaurav Munjal, chief executive officer and cofounder, Unacademy Group.
“The idea of having top educators host sessions at these stores is to ensure that learners also do get a connect. Usually, sessions from some of these top educators on Unacademy is attended by 10,000 students,” added Munjal.
Unacademy has already opened up its first experience store in New Delhi. It plans to open three new stores in Kota, Jaipur and Lucknow, over the next six weeks.
Byju’s, an arch rival, recently announced aggressive plans to expand its offline presence with the introduction of ‘Byju’s Tuition Centre.’ Last year, the company opened 80 offline locations in 23 cities, with plans to expand to 500 locations in 200 cities this year.
Byju’s offline venture, unlike Unacademy, is centred on hybrid learning. After acquiring tutoring chain Aakash Education Services for an estimated cash-and-stock deal for $950 million last year, it conceived its offline venture.