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Most Maruti dealers across the state have seen a 50 per cent slump in sales in the past financial year, basically because of the slowdown in economy since 2012-13. In its backdrop, the company has cut down its monthly sales target to 280 vehicles against 350 to 400 till around two months back. Buyers, too, are insisting on more discounts and offers. The slowdown is more for entry-level models such as Zen Estilo and Alto, whereas the high-end or premium category cars are like they used to earlier
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Last year, there were huge discounts and short-term offers on food commodities. But I hardly found any supermarts with such offers now. Even onion prices have soared so much that it suddenly seems to have turned into a luxury item rather than a necessity. Wholesellers and retailers have hiked the prices of essential food items like flour, rice, pulses, sugar and wheat citing jump in transport cost triggered by frequent hike in petrol prices. Price rise has made it tough for homemakers like me to run the whole household on a fixed budget
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The market is frozen. We have noticed around 70 per cent fall in the sale of the yellow metal. Previously, people resisted buying gold because of the low price. Now, when the price is skyrocketing, it is really tough for us to find customers. We fear that if the situation remains the same, the market would see low sales during the festive season. People are actually waiting for the right time to buy gold
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Prices of IT products, including computer peripherals, across the globe change almost daily on the basis of the dollar’s value in terms of local currency. The impact of the soaring dollar value against rupee is such that the price of a branded laptop in Patna has increased in the range of Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000 over the last week only. Owing to the weak rupee, wholesale dealers of computer products are not buying large stocks. They are apprehensive that if they shell out more rupees for buying computer stocks now and the rupee appreciates against the dollar, they would have to suffer losses in selling the existing stock
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When it comes to cutting down on expenses, people do it on luxuries first. The food business is going through a tough phase. The footfall at our restaurant has dipped by 25 per cent over the past few months. The footfall is not very convincing even during weekends, which is otherwise considered rush days. The price rise has forced us to rethink on re-pricing the menu with limited number of dishes. Many of my friends have their own food chains. If the economy tumbles, they will be compelled to shut down business