Amid third wave of Covid-19, mom & pop stores stock up on essentials

But modern trade in wait-and-watch mode; business as usual for e-commerce players

With India caught in a third wave maelstrom, mom-and-pop stores have started stocking up on essentials like edible oil, sugar, and salt. Modern trade stores, on the other hand, are in a wait-and-watch mode. They don't anticipate stock supply being hamstrung by logistic issues yet.

Consumer durables retailers have reduced buying from companies, seeing that discretionary demand has been impacted with people choosing to stay indoors. However, demand has moved online for television panels.

Apparel retailers are still lying low to see how the situation pans out on the ground.

Neighbourhood kirana stores have increased their inventory build-up by another week, with demand