Pre-GST sale: Early Diwali cheer for consumer goods, retail chains

But disruption in July looms large as inventory thins and there are prospects of price hikes

Retailers of consumer electronics and home appliances are rejoicing at the bumper pre-GST sale that has advanced the festive mood to June. While, a wide-spread disruption in trade is looming large over the sector once the much-awaited goods and services tax (GST) regime kicks in from 1 July, executives at brick and mortar outlets, selling air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines and television sets, are busy counting money, in exchange of every last piece of inventory that was lying in their godowns.

Retail footfall in these stores jumped by up to 30 per cent in the second week of the month,