It’s a ‘Black Diwali’ for small handset retailers, due to rampant online discounting

Large-format mobile phone retail chains are set to join the smaller brick and mortar stores in pressing brands for a level playing field with ecommerce channels. This widening protest is seen increasing pressure on companies to curb their segregated trade practices which tend to make online marketplaces the first stop for potential buyers.

The organised trade had stayed away from the agitation till now, but are now joining hands with smaller mom-and-pop handset retailers who say it’s going to be a “Black Diwali” festival this year with sales at their worst ever, largely affected by online retailers holding multiple sales where smartphone brands like Samsung, Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi and Realme have exclusively launched their high-selling phones.