Not just small retailers, even big corporate houses dealing with consumer durables have unveiled attractive schemes adding an extra glow to annual shopping extravaganza.[break]
Through such schemes, corporate houses are expecting sales rise in range of 25 to 50 percent. Normally, consumers spend three-fold of their normal expenditure during the festive season that starts with Dashain and continues till Tihar for about a month.
“This is the best time to boost sales and strengthen our brand presence in the market," said Niraj Baniya of Chaudhary Group that holds authorized dealership of LG, Onida and Kelvinator brands of consumer durables.
To tap the festive shoppers, Chaudhary Group has launched various schemes that offer consumers sure shot gift hampers, bumper prizes such as LCD and LED television sets, free holiday trips, and home appliances like DVD player and microwave oven among others.
“Growth is essential for every brand to remain in the market. Festive schemes help us achieve this growth,” added Baniya.
Ashwini Todi, director of Orbit International -- the authorized distributor of Beko home appliances for Nepal, said consumers today eagerly wait for festive schemes. He said the company was expecting sales to grow by 50 percent as compared to sales figures of a couple of months ago when sale of consumer electronics was low.
Orbit International has launched ´Dashain Beko Mobile Mania´ for this festive season through which consumers purchasing Beko appliances can get mobile phone worth Rs 4,500 for free.
Todi, however, was quick to add that the festive sale this year will not be exciting as compared to last year as there has been no substantial rise in people´s disposable income and also the price of electronic products have increased due to the rise in the price of raw materials such as steel, copper and plastic in the international market.
Companies dealing with consumer durables say the trend of announcing schemes have changed drastically over the period of time as consumers today look for best offers, brand value, quality of products and post purchase assurances among others.
“Consumers no more believe on lucky draws and scratch cards, instant gifts and cash discount are getting more popular these days,” Todi told Republica.
Other companies like Triveni Bayapar Group -- the authorized distributor for Yasuda, Panasonic and Daewoo; and Nepal Hima Trade Link -- the authorized distributor for Sony electronic appliances are also offering gifts like Pepsi bottles, motorbikes, holiday trips, gold and silver coins, solar emergency light and handy cam bag, among others.
According to these companies, sales during Dashain-Tihar festive season accounts for around 20 to 25 percent of their annual sales.
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