At steep discounts, shoppers warmup to the big sale season
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, January 29
With steep discounts greeting shoppers for the ‘big sale’ weekend, it’s a war for sales in both online and offline markets. With the consumers looking to capitalise on the offers and shopping discounts, the retailers in the local markets too have found the boost in sales, thanks to the sale hook up. Just like the Diwali season, a flurry of portals that sell everything from electronics to clothes, shoe, fragrances, even a pair of jocks have announced several big offers, with Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Snapdeal and the likes offering heavy discounting. Similarly, the retailers sitting in the market have sweetened the deal to lure in the consumers.
Amazon’s Republic Day Parade had offered up to 70 per cent off on several deals recently and Flipkart too has put off up to 60 per cent off on all products. Offline brands like Big Bazaar, Reliance Trends, Shoppers Stop too have dished out deals with cash back and free-shopping vouchers. “Online shopping has struck a chord with time-constrained middle class shoppers, with good income and taste for exclusivity. Online shopping portals offer everything on a platter, with some extra credits,” says Sakshi Pathania, a housewife form city. Taking up deals, she has already cashed in on most of the freebies online.
Bhuvan Arjun, an electronics retailer in Hall Bazzar, too says that though the online shopping has eaten away a considerable market share, the festivals and special holiday weekends help boost sales. “People try to capitalise on holidays and lap up the offers positively. More promotions mean better sales.”
Another home furnishings shop owner from Lawrence Road, Raj Kumar, says, “Throughout the year, we get minimal sales, as not many people are interested in buying décor on everyday basis. But sale season brings in shoppers and these are good times for growing business.” There is no denying the fact that the sale season gets even the wisest of us enticed by the ‘special offers and discounts’ and everyone gets a valid reason to shop till they drop. From a Happy Hour scheme, which offers a flat 50 per cent discount if you shop on select two days, to the classic ‘buy one get one free’ trick, the temptation is high.
One look at the city malls and market places and the impact is noticeable. “Now, the brand-conscious people would rather wait for the sale season and stock for the next season. Apart from the obvious finance factor, it is more of an addiction, one can say,” says Taranpreet Kaur, a hospitality professional from the city, who fills up her wardrobe during sale.
