Offline handset sellers seek softer sales targets

NEW DELHI: Bricks-and-mortar retailers have urged smartphone makers to go easy on sale targets, and make pay-outs based on previous performances.

In a letter to manufacturers including Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Motorola, Realme and Apple, dated March 22, the All India Mobile Retailers Association appealed that distributors compulsorily shut down and stop billing for 14 days. “Customers are not visiting markets, mobile retail has come down more than 60% and in lockdown districts/cities would be 100%, but our overheads and expenses are still intact,” said the letter.

It also appealed to phone companies to release salaries of inshop promoters 10 days in advance so they can buy essential items for their families and stay at home. “Affordability codes should be inactive so all possible doors are nullified for a retailer to open stores and take risk of catching this deadly virus,” said the mobile retailers association. “Please consider it your good deed.”