Another Mega Discounts In October

Consumers could look forward to discounted shopping benefits once again in the first week of October when the country’s two biggest Web market places, Flipkart and Amazon, engage in this festive season’s second discounting duel.

The online retailing giants have sounded out the sellers and brands using the two platforms to replenish their inventory for the second round in which they are targeting about 70% of the sales they did du-ring the just concluded annual mega festive sale. Three senior industry executives said the next sale will also be spread over four days, likely between October 5 and October 10.

An executive with a leading consumer electronics brand said “Since Flipkart’s Big Billion Days and Amazon’s first festive sale are annual events, the extent of discount cannot be matched for subsequent festive sales. But it won’t be too less either. Flipkart, for instance, is looking at 4-6% less discount for the next sale for categories like smartphones and consumer electronics.”

While Flipkart and Amazon confirmed there will be subsequent festive sales, both marketplaces declined to share the dates and specifics. Paytm Mall, too, is planning its next mega cashback sale in the first week of October, while running several smaller sales until then on focused categories such as consumer electronics and fashion.

Manmohan Ganesh, head of corporate strategy at Amazon-exclusive consumer electronics brand BPL, said “We have already doubled our quantity over last year and there is huge pressure to further increase inventory”.

An Amazon India spokesperson said the great Indian festival that happens at this time of the year has become synonymous with a month long celebration. “We have also expanded our exclusive selection with popular brands such as Moto, One Plus, Xiaomi, GAP, IFB, BPL, LG, UnderArmour, Steve Madden Jewelry, Honor, Nokia, and Blackberry, and continue to look for more such strategic partnerships.”