COIMBATORE: This Deepavali, there has been a 45 per cent decrease in demand for Chinese goods by retailers from wholesalers in comparison to last year, as per estimate of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT). Observers said social campaigns pitching for ‘Made in India’ could have been the reason for this positive change.
The conclusion was arrived at by the CAIT based on inputs from 20 distribution centres in various cities across the country, with Chennai as the distribution centre in Tamil Nadu.
National president of the CAIT B C Bhartia said in the wake of intense social media campaign with a strong patriotic fervour, retailers have been refraining from keeping stock of Chinese products.
“The consumer behaviour would be gauged on three days — October 26 to 28 — when they would begin visiting markets for festival shopping. By October 29, we can get the actual picture of the mood of the consumer in relation to this campaign,” said CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal.
Chinese products that are usually in demand are firecrackers, serial lights, kitchen appliances, toys, gift items, electric fittings and electronic consumables, home decor items and gift articles. These items might see a slump in demand.
“On the other hand, the campaign has given a new lease of life to traditional potters, who have developed many artistic and innovative earthen products, hoping to get a good share in market by replacing Chinese lighting, bulbs and decorative products. Decorative candles and other wax decorative products are also hoping to do good business in this festive season. Crackers made in Sivakasi are also expected to do good business,” Bhartia added, Ironically, the boycott campaign will affect Indian traders and importers, who have stocked Chinese goods imported prior to the boycott campaign.