Online smartphone sales set to hit highest, offline retailers brace for an impact

MUMBAI/NEW DELHI: Share of online smartphone sales is set to hit its highest at 53-54% in the second half of 2021, with some predicting it could rise as much as 60% buoyed by surging demand in the festive sale period as fears of component shortage and supply delays drive customers to grab the first phone they get online, said market trackers.

The strong demand for handsets online though, has worried brick and mortar stores who say they are staring at their worst ever sale period. They allege that brands are offering them fewer number of models and lesser margin for discounts from brands. Many offline retailers said they are in fact being forced to buy from online to stock up.