Social media rhetoric against Chinese goods may be a nonstarter

Mumbai/Bengaluru: Online and offline retailers say the growing rhetoric on social media to boycott Chinese goods is unlikely to sway consumer behaviour. However, that isn’t stopping leading online marketplaces Flipkart and Amazon from promoting ‘Made in India’ products.

Sellers told ET that the tight-fisted consumer does not have much choice when it comes to buying a product, especially smartphones. Consumers will continue to pick up Chinese-made products that offer value for money, especially when there’s a squeeze on discretionary spending.

“One out of 10 customers does not want Chinese handsets. We do not expect demand for a Chinese make to fall because they fit the customers’ budgets,” said a retail executive who did not want to be identified. “Covid-19 has tightened the average spends. When maximum demand for smartphones is under Rs 15,000 a piece, who can compete with Chinese products?”