Offline retailers bet on last-minute shoppers for Republic-Day sales

Offline retailers across categories and formats are hoping that last-minute shoppers will boost sales on Republic Day at a time when the overall environment remains weak.
 
The trend is similar to what retailers had experienced during Diwali last year, when sales picked up during the festival of lights.
 
Some admit this is the new normal in offline retail, led by e-tailers launching their online festivals around the same time, cannabalising sales.
 
“This year Amazon and Flipkart came out with Republic Day festivals a week ahead. Despite this, we expect to see a sales growth of around 7-8