-Chinnaiyan Arumugam
Today, when most of the product prices have gone up considerably, consumers buying computers and laptops also diminishing. Various experts’ reports also reveal the same. Consumer buying options are changing and in this scenario a new verticals, online portals and e-tailers are growing and are providing attractive offers like EMI, Money back guarantee, free shipping, bundle offers, cash on delivery, discount coupons and more.
IT hardware being one of the depreciating products, B & M channels are striving hard for their save their business. A few years ago financial companies were offering EMI options, which helped both Consumers, SMBs & Channel partners to grow. All of a sudden they have stopped financing and the reasons given was the lack in recovery and very low resale value after recovery.
Responsibility should come from B&M Channels to suggest a consumer with proper documents who is capable of repaying. Already channels are badly affected by huge price disparity due to online offers. Consumers having Credit Cards may prefer to buy online, but there are consumers who do not have a credit card and are looking for finance options.
Recently, there are announcements from the vendors to tie up with private finances and nationalized banks, but nothing materialized and upcountry channel partners will be benefited if some brands come forward. With financial transactions being the biggest challenge in this industry, the banks should come forward to help channels in such activities.
Instead of depending on selling boxes, B&M Channels can think of diversifying to more solution oriented business by adding more value.
(The author is the CEO of Intech Computers,Vellore and can be reached at arumugam_vellore@hotmail.com. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the views of Channel Times or any of the websites managed or operated by Trivone Digital Services)