Discount by e-tailers this festive season hits walk-ins at retailers

Traditional retailers are in for a shock this festive season with e-tailers offering a slew of discounts. Diwali will probably not be a dazzler this time for brick-and-mortar retailers, who are devising other ways to attract customers.

"Online sales have not affected our margins, but our walk-ins have reduced by almost 30 per cent. We now provide valet services and parking," says Amit Thakral, store manager of Maspar, a furnishing store in South Extension.

Lalit Joshi, store manager of Lacoste, seconds Thakral: "Our walk-ins have reduced. Some of our trademark T-shirts cost Rs 3,200, but are available for Rs 1,200 online. I'm not sure whether those available online are original."

Manmeet Singh, manager of United Colours of Benetton, Connaught Place, said, "We can't afford to give discounts because we have to take care of our overheads such as electricity bills, staff salaries and rents." Not all are disheartened.

A senior manager at a Croma store prefers to wait and watch. "The Flipkart dhamaka was a flop show. It hardly affected our sales. We will see how Amazon performs."

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