Traders compete with e-commerce companies with online apps

Aurangabad, Oct 21:

Businesses which were severely hit due to the lockdown, are now back to normal. During the lockdown, e-commerce companies made huge profits making a turnover of crores of rupees during this period. The growing dominance of these companies had led to fears of losing the business in local traders. But traders are also working hard to attract customers using various online offers.

Trade associations, including Zilla Vyapari Mahasangh, Marathwada Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) are now competing with e-commerce companies. Local merchants are now using online apps to do business. More than 20 per cent of the traders in the district have turned to online platforms. During the lockdown, traders changed their approach to e-commerce. Some traders developed their own apps and advertised their products to their customers. The customers are also getting similar discounts like e-commerce companies. Praful Malani, president, MCCI, said that traders are ready with different offers for the customers for Dussehra and Diwali. Small merchants who can''t afford an app are offering online services to customers through WhatsApp. They are also offering free home delivery.

Online payment modes

Even small businesses have started using online payment apps like Google Pay, Phone Pay, BHIM and Paytm to make cashless transactions a priority. For this, banks are also helping traders from time to time to prioritize online transactions. Banks have also reduced charges on the net banking, online banking, RTGS and NEFT.