FESTIVAL CHEERS THIS DIWALI?

Etailers are faring well, carmakers are offering best rates, durable firms are eyeing robust growth as well. Industry is cashing in on the festive mood to boost sales and sentiments.

ON OCTOBER 8, THE DAY OF Dussehra, luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz India claimed it had sold 200-plus cars — 125-plus on Dussehra in Mumbai and 74 during Navratri in Gujarat. Tata Motors is offering benefits of up to Rs 150,000 on models such as the Nexon, Hexa, Tiago, Tiago NRG, Tigor and the recently launched Harrier. The Mahindra Group has launched a special edition of the Bolero called the Bolero Power+ this Diwali season. The group claims the Bolero is the largest selling utility vehicle in India (since its launch in August 2000) with the highest car park of almost 12 lakh happy owners. Maruti, Hyundai and other carmakers are also doing their bit to attract customers and boost sales in this festive season.

The industry is pinning its hopes on the festival season for robust growth in sales, despite rising concerns about a consumption slowdown. Companies have lined up new product ranges and are sweetening the deal with aggressive financing and promotional offers. Key industry players say they are eyeing a double-digit growth in sales.

High Hopes

In the e-commerce space, Amazon.in is aiming to bring the next 100 million customers online, says Manish Tiwary, Vice President – Category Management, Amazon India. Similarly, Kalyan Krishnamurthy, CEO of Flipkart Group says The Big Billion Day 2019 has proven that Bharat has moved closer to India in more ways than one. Kunal Bahl, Founder & CEO of Snapdeal, says: “The trends from the Diwali sale are an unequivocal confirmation that e-commerce is now a strong channel for buyers in smaller cities.”