IT distributors join hands for etailing ops to compete with Flipkart

Offtake of electronic items via e-commerce portals is growing at a fast pace leading to stiff competition for brick and mortar shops

Facing the heat from e-commerce protals, several distributors of technology products have decided to set up an online marketplace, which will compete with the likes of Flipkart and Snapdeal. The offtake of electronic items through e-commerce portals is growing at a fast pace leading to increased competition for brick and mortar shops.

The first-of-its kind portal will be owned by some 80 channel partners, all members of Progressive Channels Association of Information Technology (PCAIT) . The industry body, which met in New Delhi on Saturday said the portal will offer product-based services across the country using the strong channel network of PCAIT.

“It will also cater to the demands of the online customer who, due to a lack of proper service platform, returns the product owing to defects or unsatisfactory performance," it added. In the recent past, several leading electronic manufacturers such as Lenovo and Asus, among others, have issued advisories to warn customers against buying products from e-commerce sites such as Amazon, Snapdeal, eBay and Flipkart.

The advisories said online marketplaces were not authorised dealers for their products and the companies do not take any responsibility of genuineness of the products sold through these sites. According to industry experts, these are clear signs of the offline distribution channel facing the heat from e-tailers.