Sales of electronics and smart phones in e-commerce off to a flyer

In the first three days of the ongoing festive sales at Amazon and Flipkart, smartphones, electronic items and fashion and lifestyle products have been emptying the shelves in record pace as business grew by 40-90% as compared to the same month last year, despite the inauspicious shraadh period, The Economic Times reported on Thursday. With navratri around the corner, the demand is expected to increase further as several brands and sellers have reduced discounts for the rest of the sale period, owing to supply challenges.

According to Flipkart, festive sales have started on a positive note which was reflected in the early trends that showed a positive consumer sentiment across the country. Categories like mobiles, electronics, large appliances, lifestyle, general merchandise and home saw the highest demand. The grocery category of the e-tailer has seen first time customers from 200 new cities.

Apple sold over 3,00,000 units of iPhones in the first three day of the sale, that resulted in an increase of Rs 2,000-Rs 3,000 in per unit price, according to estimates by market trackers.

During the three day period, Xiaomi sold 1,00,000 television sets and already sold 2 million smartphones in the Rs 20,000-plus segment, with a ten-fold growth. Realme India also said that it has sold over 1 million smartphones.

Supply continues to be an issue

Though the sales figures refer to both online and offline channels, the publication reported that the sales have taken place on Flipkart, Amazon and their respective online brand stores.

According to market research firm Counterpoint Technology, product prices have been volatile this festive season on e-commerce platforms. Demand has been exceptionally well, however the supply situation remains stressed. This is because of the shortage in components like semi conductor chips and shortage of cargo containers.