Offline retailers expect sales surge on long Independence Day break

Kishore Biyani's Future Group is aiming for Rs 1,000 crore of sales from a five-day shopping event called 'Maha Bachat'

Kishore Biyani’s Future Group is expecting to double its sales from a five-day shopping event called ‘Maha Bachat’. This coincides with a discount bonanza from top online players.    

The group is aiming for Rs 1,000 crore of sales from the event, scheduled for August 13-17, up from last year’s Rs 500 crore, a source said. About 300 brands are participating in the discount fest. The group has come out with ad campaigns where chief executives of brands such as Paper Boat, Delmonte and Prestige are featured.

“We have back-to-back holidays for three days, unlike in the previous year,” said a Future group executive. He said Future’s sales were different from online retailers, “as we offer a wide assortment”.

It has tied up with Axis Bank, which will give five to 10 per cent cash back. And, with Paytm which will give 15 per cent cash back and Bajaj Finserv which will offer free shopping to 100 winners a day.

Hypercity, owned by Shoppers Stop, has an ‘Annual Home and Happiness Festival’ which will focus on food, home and fashion. It will offer a flat 60 per cent off on a wide range of apparel and footwear and 50 per cent on home products. It expects high double digit sales growth during I-day sales. “This independence month festival at Hypercity is not just about special deals but all about offering a great experience to the customer by coupling exemplary service with exciting deals and new launches,” said Manoj Jain, head of marketing.

Reliance Retail and Aditya Birla More also say they expect to show significant growth at I-Day weekend sales.