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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.

Updated on: Oct 21, 2014, 18:21:43 IST
Hindustan Times | By , Bhopal
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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.

HT Image
HT Image

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.

  • Shruti Tomar
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Shruti Tomar

    I have spent over a decade chronicling Madhya Pradesh’s political and social landscape, covering politics, investigative journalism, crime, human interest, and government policy, blending sharp insight with ground‑level depth. I have closely tracked three assembly elections, three Lok Sabha elections, leadership transitions in MP while exposing governance lapses, tender irregularities, and flawed policy rollouts. My reports have revealed gaps in the Cheetah project, irregularities in medical education, rigging in recruitment exams, and loopholes in policy implementation. In crime reporting, I have moved beyond FIRs to map systemic patterns — from organised crime networks and gender‑based violence to custodial accountability — balancing urgency with sensitivity. My journalism is defined by a commitment to human interest. I have profiled the marginalised Bancchda community, documented atrocities against tribal groups, and highlighted efforts to preserve their culture through heritage liquor and revival of spiritual practices. I have reported on farmers struggling with failed MSP promises, giving voice to those often reduced to statistics in policy files. Passionate about field reporting, I have reported on rampant sand mining in Chambal and Narmada, pharmaceutical companies supplying medicines under altered names, the dire condition of schools and colleges, the plight of commercial sex workers, and skewed sex ratios in specific districts. Beyond deadlines, and as HT’s state correspondent and assistant editor in Madhya Pradesh, I engage with ministers, farmers, students, and activists, believing the best policy stories begin with a single human voice. A postgraduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, I also hold a diploma in sports journalism.Read More