Gurgaon: Stores run dry as wholesalers refuse cheques

There has been a sudden dip in the grocery supply to retailers in Gurgaon as wholesale traders are reluctant to accept payment through cheques or digital modes.

There has been a sudden dip in the grocery supply to retailers in Gurgaon as wholesale traders are reluctant to accept payment through cheques or digital modes.

Wholesalers said that cash payments are easy while retailers alleged that they do not want to disclose their total income. (HT File Photo)

Shopkeepers said that the wholesalers are pressing for cash payments and it is becoming difficult to buy goods.

“We have been facing a lot of problems with the wholesalers after demonetisation was announced. The wholesalers have always dealt with us in cash and they want to continue the same, but we do not have cash. Shopkeepers are unable to buy items and sales have dropped,” Sanjay Ahuja, owner of a grocery store in South City-1 market, said.

Retailers said that customers are rapidly shifting to e-wallets and other cashless modes while wholesalers are sticking to cash.

“Only a few wholesalers are accepting cheques or giving us items on credit because we have a good relation with them. Otherwise, a majority of wholesalers are stocking goods and are not willing to supply it. Customers have also been returning disappointed,” Vishal Singh, a shopkeeper in Sector 14 market, said.

Wholesalers said that cash payments are easier and quicker to access, especially when dealing with large quantities of goods.

However, a few retailers said that they do not want to disclose their total income to the authorities.

“We have asked our customers (retailers) to pay half the amount in cheque and another half in cash. I cannot waste my time standing in queues and then return empty handed. Also, we require cash on a daily basis to conduct transactions,” MK Khurana, a wholesaler in Sadar Bazaar, said.

Residents said that due to the demand-supply gap at the local stores, they are being forced to go to supermarkets to buy daily necessities.

Akanksha Singh of Sushant Lok said, “My mother had to drive to Sahara Mall to buy the monthly groceries as our local store did not have a lot of items from her list. On enquiring the owner, who has known us for a long time, as to the reason why so many items were not available, he said that wholesalers are not ready to accept payments in cheque.”