In the Corona era, the purchase of essential commodities is becoming more online. With this, online business is becoming increasingly strong, so at the same time the risk of snatching their livelihood on small and medium shoppers is also increasing. Online market is registering a growth of 50 to 70 percent per annum in different sectors. This has threatened the jobs of crores of people in the retail and unorganized sector. With the start of the festive season, online companies are trying to meet the demand by recruiting new people, so the retail merchant is still waiting for customers in the shops. In the midst of such a situation, traders are preparing to open a front against the government.
Over 30 lakh online orders daily
Online trading was also banned in the Kovid era. Only essential services were allowed. But with the unlock starting from June 1, the online market has rapidly gained its footing. The speed with which the online market is gaining ground can only be gauged from the fact that at present 30 lakh online orders are being made daily. These include things like mobiles, clothes, machines, spectacles and even everyday pulses and vegetables.
The business of Amazon company alone has been reported to increase by 120 to 140 percent. Similarly, there has been a boom in the market of Flipkart and other online companies. It is believed that the appearance of this market will change after Geomart enters the region with full potential. While all these platforms have announced a strategy to accommodate local artisans, producers and traders as well, traders fear that this could lead to a huge trade deficit.
How much damage can happen
National General Secretary VK Bansal of the Federation of All India Trade Chambers told Amar Ujala that it is estimated that 6.5 crore shopkeepers in the retail sector run their lives from small to medium level shops. If the shopkeepers also add the employment of a minimum of two people, then the online market may affect the employment of a minimum of 13 crore people. Apart from this, supply chain, godowns and unorganized sector laborers are included, then the livelihood of more than 200 million people can be threatened.
The unorganized sector, including MSMEs, employs over 44 crore people. About 11 crore people are employed in the registered industries of the same class, almost 33 crore people (including 6.5 crore shopkeepers and their workers) are directly and indirectly connected to the retail market and due to the online market, they all live on bread. The danger is looming.
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what should be done
According to VK Bansal, the job of any government is to provide markets and suitable platform for its farmers and traders. But today as per the need, online market opportunities should also be made available for its farmers and traders. According to Delhi Business Federation President Devraj Baweja, the government had earlier adopted a strategy to allow large companies in single brands only, but now companies are also trying to move to multibrands with pseudonyms.
This is also threatening big and wholesale traders. A company has announced a commission-free trade on Friday. If she does so, she can run for some time due to her large capital, by then the local businessman will be gone. After this they will open the way to collect arbitrary price.
Will promote indigenous market
Kashmiri Lal, national convener of Swadeshi Jagran Manch, says that the growth of online market is posing a big threat to the small-local market. In view of this, the strategy of ‘Local for Vocal’ has been adopted. Under this, opportunities will be increased to consume special products of each district first in the local market. Along with this, they will also be introduced to the strategy of digital marketing.
He said that where necessary, the government will also be pressured to change the policies of the online market. Small companies will be linked to the youth who specialize in online market strategy. By 20 September, every Corona warrior in the country will be honored, who has worked to provide essential services to the people during the lockdown, while in the meantime large online companies failed to serve.
Need to change
BJP national spokesperson and economic affairs expert Gopal Krishna Agarwal says that the difference between e-platforms and e-trading companies is that everyone can make a profit by displaying their products on platforms from local market producers to global companies. . There is no harm to anyone. Â
But when these companies start buying and selling goods themselves, due to capital and strategy, it becomes a big risk for local merchants-grocery shoppers. They attract customers due to quality of goods, certainty of services and time savings.
The government can only help to some extent to fight this situation. Ultimately, our traders and shopkeepers will also have to accept this technology. Therefore, it is better to learn new technology over time and connect with the customers accordingly so that they can be properly combated.
