E-tailers force Bhopal traders to offer gifts, discounts like never before

As Diwali is round the corner, the market offers gifts and discounts to consumers as never before. At the back of the traders' mind is a sense of competition infused by online retail shopping giants like Flipkart, Snapdeal, Myntra, Jabong etc.

However, there is good news too for the traders. Unlike the previous two years when spiralling price rise in the market weighed people down who exercised restraint in expenditure at the festive season, this Diwali the traders have something to cheer about. Price rise and inflation have no impact on the market.

To get better of the online retail giants, the traders have even offered the chances to consumers to win even swanky cars and SUVs, not to say of electronics' gadgets, jewellery and discounts.

Though the traders have enhanced the amount of gifts and discounts unusually this time, they don't want to accept that they are doing this to get better of the retail shopping giants.

Mangalam, domestic appliances, manager Sameer Saxena said, "The online shopping trend has raised the level of competition in the market. But, it has also led to confusion among customers too as they (the retail online giants) sell in relatively low price. However, their (traders') festive season offers have nothing to do with it."

In a highly competitive environment, jewellery and real estate sectors, which were worst sufferers the last year, have shined but in sectors like electronic gadgets, utensils and textile, consumers seem to be budget savvy and highly calculative in purchasing the articles from the market.

Trader Deepak Tamrakar said, "Some fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) including utensils, textile, home décor and mobile phones are the worst affected commodities due to retail shopping websites so shopkeepers of these commodities are displaying more offer to remain in the competition."

Akhil Bhartiya Vyapari Mandal general secretary Anupam Agrawal said, "As price rise has not left any impact on the market, real estate and jewellery traders seem happy with profit and response of people. Online shopping is the choice of people only for electronic gadgets and clothes."

Even in jewellery shops, the demand of silver utensils and bullions are more than gold jewellery due to decrease in price of silver. Sarafa Association vice president Manoj Agrawal said in metals, silver was leading in the market due to low in price. "Comparing to last year trend, market of metals has improved and we are hoping for good sale on the occasion of Dhanteras," he added.