Festival season raises hopes among resellers

After dull sales last month, the local IT market in Chennai is pinning all

hope on this festival season. Every year, Christmas season is a very

lucrative period for businesses across the world and all leading IT vendors

concentrate primarily on the Western market by diverting shipments to these

regions. Unlike previous years, this time, the stocks are available in

plenty in the local IT market and the resellers are praying for good sales

this festive season.

"Going by the present sales indications, the market seems to be looking up

and we expect a good festive season this time. Last year, it was not in the

expected lines. The leading vendors project a positive figure this year,"

says A Akthar Hussain, Director, Challenger Computer. "This year is supposed

to be a good year with overall increase in sales and turnover, inspite of

the falling prices and economic crisis. We expect a overall growth of five

to 10 percent this year which is expected to be a good growth in the given

conditions," he adds.

SSS Systems is running an anniversary scheme to commemorate the festival

season. The company is celebrating its ninth anniversary by floating a

scheme where every PC buyer would get a chance to win fabulous gifts ranging

from silver coins to gold coins to refrigerators and microwave ovens. "The

scheme is open from December 15, 2002 to April 14, 2003 and the prizes are

changed every month to attract buyers. We also have a slogan contest where

the winner will drive away a brand new Santro car," says I Sadiq Batcha,

Director, SSS Systems.

According to Sadiq Batcha, his new scheme has created a great interest among

the PC buyers and the sales has really picked up in the last few days.

"Moreover, the prices of P4-based PCs have come down drastically in the last

few months making latest technology products more affordable for the

consumers," he added.

"We do not see any significant improvement in sales, this year. It is

business as usual," says Naresh Kanted, Director, Sagar Infosys.

According to B Krishna Kumar, Proprietor, Sri Lakshmi System Products, there

is an improvement in sales for this festive season and all leading vendors

are presently running a scheme to attract both end-users and resellers.

"Sales have been dull even from Diwali and the market is not showing any

signs of improvement and recovery. When the end-users budget is limited to

meet their festival expenditure, how would they be able to invest in these

kind of products," questions Kumar, CEO, Universal Microsystems.

"Sales have been vacillating for the past few weeks and we hope to do some

brisk business during this festive season," opins S Samkumar, GM, Elite

Peripheral.