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Trade body flags online and offline price gap after huge festive e-commerce sales
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CNBC TV18•12-10-2026, 15:59
Trade body flags online and offline price gap after huge festive e-commerce sales
- •The Confederation of West Bengal Trade Associations expressed concern over deep online discounts hurting traditional retailers after e-commerce sales hit Rs 24,000 crore in two days.
- •Trade bodies emphasized that they support digital commerce and healthy competition, but demand a level playing field and fair pricing policies.
- •Offline traders struggle with operational costs such as rent, salaries, and electricity, making it impossible to match aggressive online pricing.
- •The CWBTA urged the government to examine the growing price disparity and called for reasonable price parity between online and offline sellers.
Key Questions Answered
E-commerce companies reportedly clocked around ₹24,000 crore in sales during the first two days of the festive season.
The Confederation of West Bengal Trade Associations (CWBTA) expressed concern over the rising volume of online festive sales and the widening price gap.
Sushil Poddar noted that offline traders have to bear costs such as shop rent, salaries, electricity, taxation, transportation, inventory, and maintenance while working with limited margins.
