Bhubaneswar, June 29: With the Goods and Services Tax (GST) coming into effect from July 1, city markets and malls are seeing a heavy rush of anxious buyers with major electronic and apparel brands offering huge discounts on their products.

Consumer durables including televisions, refrigerators, laptops, washing machines, air-conditioners, wrist watches and glasses are going out of stock in minutes while a whopping discount of up to 50 per cent on major apparel brands also continues to attract customers. The discount on various products ranges from 20 per cent to 50 per cent.

"I was looking to buy a television. I thought of buying it during the Dusshera last year. When I enquired I was offered to get it at Rs 14,000 at that time, but today I bought it for Rs 12,000. I am happy," said Unit III resident Nimai Rath, a businessman.

Brands and showrooms have put up hoardings and placards across the city to announce hefty discounts and attract customers. The Big Mart at Market Building is providing 50 per cent discount, while footwear brands such as Woodland have matching offers.

Homemaker Suchismita Mishra, 32, is happy because she managed to make the most of the pre-GST sale bonanza. Mishra picked up a few apparels of big brands and also did some travel shopping at a very affordable price.

"I have my second marriage anniversary coming up next month and we have planned a vacation. I went shopping and surprisingly spends very less compared to last time," Mishra, a resident of Sailashree Vihar, said.

Patra Electronics Showroom at Bapuji Nagar has witnessed a boost in sales. "We are offering discounts of up to 30 per cent on electronic items. The sale has gone up. It is higher than that of the festive season. The sale went up by up to 30 per cent in the past month," said Ashim Gupta, the showroom's marketing manager.

Consumer durables being sold with pre-GST offers have been manufactured before June 30, 2016, and the central government will not provide rebate of excise tax levied on them. Products manufactured after June 30 last year will receive excise tax rebate and input tax credits, hence they are mostly not on offer or carrying paltry discounts.

A tax expert said that electronic gadgets would attract 28 per cent GST, which is higher than the existing 15 per cent VAT (Value Added Tax) imposed by the state and around 12 per cent central excise. However, nobody is sure what the prices will be after GST. Though stores are happy with the sudden rise in sales and stock clearance, confusion over the impact of GST continues to rattle both businessmen and customers.

"Customers are flocking to shops and malls as they are unable to fathom the impact of GST on prices," said a storeowner. "Even we are not sure about the final impact on MRP (maximum retail price)," he said.

The new tax system will impose 5 per cent charge on handloom, leading to a price rise of finished goods. Finance minister Shashi Bhusan Behera expressed concern over the rate and said imposing GST on handloom products would not benefit the state's weavers' communities.