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Discounts & Price Drops

Online shoppers notice lower discounts, fall in customer service

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Online consumers in India are fast realizing that heavily discounted prices and zero-delivery charges are things of the past, as e-commerce firms shift focus towards profitability.

A consumer survey by JM Financial Institutional Securities Ltd showed that consumers noted that discounts have reduced over the years across etailers like Flipkart, Amazon and others. 

“..they did anticipate higher fees and lower discounts but did not expect the stark dip in service quality,” the report noted.

The survey asked online shoppers to compare notes on trends across 13 major spending categories spanning food delivery, flights, apparel and more.

Over 50% of respondents said they have noticed a rise in delivery, platform and other convenience fees across online categories today. These crept up incrementally earlier, but are more overt now.

Similarly, discounts have also dropped or remained flat over the past few years as per over 65% of those surveyed on average. Categories like apparel, mobiles and appliances that once lured buyers with steep deals saw the steepest reduction.

“Over the years, online platforms have used deep discounting as a means to penetrate the market and build consumer habits. However, as the emphasis shifts towards sustainable and profitable growth, we observe a decline in discounts,” the market research firm highlighted.

Flipkart, Amazon and others are now tying discounts tightly to select payment modes like credit cards or buy-now-pay-later schemes instead of blanket sales.

Declining Customer Service

The survey makes clear that while Indian e-commerce firms chase profits in a tough funding environment, it is coming at the cost of consumer experience.

While technology improvements have reduced the need for support over the years, complicated issues still remain unresolved. 60% of the survey participants reported unsatisfactory customer support experiences recently.

Respondents admitted adapting reluctantly so far, but industry experts warn that customer loyalty could erode with continuing fee hikes and shrinking discounts.

E-commerce players have increasingly adopted machine learning-powered chatbots as the first line of service, replacing call center executives. But these automated systems have limited ability to comprehend context and resolve intricate complaints.

So when issues do arise like cancelled products, incorrect sizes delivered or payment failures, frustrated consumers can be left hanging without recourse or resolution. In many cases, customers cannot even reach a human representative anymore on the merchant platforms.

“..reaching out to human executives has become an arduous task today in stark contrast to 5 years back, when support numbers were prominently shared,” the research firm underscored.



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Discounts & Price Drops

South India Shopping Mall offers mega Ashadam discounts

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Sale features up to 66% off on all categories of clothing, exclusive deals on ladies, men’s, and kids’ wear, and offers on jewellery

Published Date – 18 July 2025, 12:53 AM




Hyderabad: In celebration of the culturally significant Ashadam season, South India Shopping Mall has launched its much-awaited Blockbuster Kilo Sale, drawing massive footfall across its showrooms.

Rooted in the traditions of South India, the brand has rolled out a campaign with the tagline ‘Shopping in Kilos… Happiness in Tons!’, offering customers an array of irresistible deals. One of the most talked-about highlights is the ‘Buy 1 KG Sarees, Get 1 KG Free’ offer on Kanchipattu sarees, which has struck a chord with festive shoppers.


The sale features up to 66% off on all categories of clothing, a second Kalamkari Pattu saree for just 49 (worth Rs 4,995), exclusive deals on ladies, men’s, and kids’ wear, and offers on jewellery. Shoppers can also avail 2 gm silver free per gram of gold jewellery, Rs 5,000 off per kg of silver items, and diamond jewellery starting from just Rs 49,990 per carat, with VA beginning at only 5%.

 



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Discounts & Price Drops

EV sales in India set to cross 7 pc market share by FY28: Report

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India’s festive season this year is set to generate over 2.16 lakh seasonal jobs, reflecting a 15–20 per cent year-on-year rise in gig and temporary employment during the second half of 2025, a report said on Wednesday.

Key sectors driving this surge include retail, e-commerce, BFSI, logistics, hospitality, travel, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).

Hiring activity has gained momentum in anticipation of marquee events such as Raksha Bandhan, Big Billion Days, Prime Day Sale, Dussehra, Diwali, and the wedding season, Adecco India, an HR service provider, said in its report.

Many companies are advancing their hiring cycles to stay ahead of demand and ensure operational readiness for what is expected to be a stronger-than-usual festive period.

As per the report, this year’s hiring uptick is being driven by improved consumer sentiment, a favourable monsoon boosting rural demand, post-election economic optimism, and aggressive seasonal promotions.

Metro cities such as Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Pune continue to lead in seasonal hiring demand, up 19 per cent from last year.  

At the same time, tier 2 cities like Lucknow, Jaipur, Coimbatore, Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Mysuru and Varanasi are witnessing a 42 per cent increase in job demand. In addition, tier-2 cities like Kanpur, Kochi, and Vijayawada are emerging as new hiring hubs, the report noted.  

Compensation levels are expected to rise as well. It may go up by 12-15 per cent in metro markets and by 18-22 per cent in emerging cities.

Encouragingly, 23 per cent more women are participating in this seasonal hiring wave compared to previous years, driven by a rising preference for flexible, short-term roles.

“This year’s festive season is seeing a sharper and more structured demand curve, and we have proactively prepared to meet it well in advance. Unlike previous years where hiring was largely volume-driven, employers today are equally focused on deployment speed, workforce readiness, and regional agility,” said Deepesh Gupta, Director and Head of General Staffing, Adecco India.

Hiring in logistics and delivery is projected to rise by 30–35 per cent as companies scale up last-mile operations in preparation for peak festive demand.

In the BFSI sector, firms are significantly ramping up field force deployments for credit card sales and POS installations, particularly across tier 2 and 3 cities.

The hospitality and travel segments are expected to see a 20-25 per cent increase in hiring, while e-commerce and retail will continue to dominate, accounting for 35-40 per cent of total seasonal job creation, said the report.



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Discounts & Price Drops

D-Mart: The Untold Story Behind India’s Favorite Discount Store

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From Dalal Street to Discount Retail: The Visionary Behind D-Mart

D-Mart opened its doors in 2002, founded by Radhakishan Damani — better known in financial circles than in retail aisles. Before venturing into supermarkets, Damani had already built his reputation as a sharp investor and stock market veteran during the 1980s. His keen understanding of market trends wasn’t limited to stocks; he recognized a major gap in Indian retail: the need for a reliable, value-for-money shopping experience under one roof.

Driven by this insight, Damani launched his retail venture — and the rest is history.

What’s in a Name? The Meaning of “D-Mart”

Interestingly, D-Mart didn’t start with its current name. Originally, it was called “Damani Mart,” named after its founder. Over time, to make the brand name catchier and simpler, it was shortened to “D-Mart.” So yes, the ‘D’ in D-Mart proudly stands for Damani.

How D-Mart Keeps Prices Low — And Customers Loyal

While many large retailers lease their store spaces, D-Mart takes a different approach: it owns most of its store properties. This strategy keeps rental costs low, allowing the company to offer consistently lower prices to shoppers. It’s a business model built on efficiency, where every rupee saved in operations translates into discounts for customers.

This commitment to affordability — without sacrificing quality — has made D-Mart especially popular among India’s middle class, who value both savings and convenience.

A Nationwide Retail Success

What started as a single store has grown into an expansive network spanning 11 Indian states, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. Today, D-Mart operates under Avenue Supermarts Limited and continues to expand while staying true to its founding promise: delivering daily essentials at everyday low prices.

More Than Just a Store

Beyond the shelves stocked with groceries and household goods lies a remarkable entrepreneurial journey. Radhakishan Damani’s transition from stock market legend to retail pioneer is a testament to the power of understanding both customers and markets. His disciplined, long-term approach not only built a profitable business but also earned the trust of millions.

So, next time you walk through the aisles of D-Mart, remember: it isn’t just about the discounts. It’s the story of how one man’s vision turned into an empire built on simplicity, savings, and an unwavering focus on what Indian shoppers truly want. For customers, D-Mart may stand for Damani Mart — but it also stands for dependability, deals, and daily value.

And in a country where every rupee matters, that’s what makes the name truly special.

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