It's going to be a bonanza for customers as major retailers have gone on an overdrive with heavy discounts ahead of the Independence Day.
While department chain major Pantaloon has organised a five-day long 'Mahabachat' (Super-Saving) offer, global footwear and sportswear brand Woodland is planning to extend special Autumn sales to cover the week following August 15.
"We have been holding special discount season sales under 'Saste se Sasta' (Cheaper than the Cheapest) and Mahabachat offers during the January 26 and August 15 period since past three years. This year also our Mahabachat offer is held between August 13 to 17 at all our Big Bazaar brand showrooms across the country," a Pantaloon spokesperson said.
He said the group registered sales of Rs 250 crore (Rs 2.5 billion) during last year's Mahabachat period, when the company's stores registered a foot-fall of one crore (10 million) during the offer period.
"We expect a similar good response this year. When we first started with the scheme in 2005, there were 21 Big Bazaar stores in the country, while now we have 96," he said.
Among the offers at Big Bazaar outlets are 'Buy One Get One Free' on select range of men's and ladies' wear, gift vouchers on shopping purchases of Rs 500, and discounts on consumer durable goods including 32 inches colour television and mobile phones.
Diversified retail player Vishal Retail has launched the 'Mera Bharat Mahan: Azaadi Mehengai Se' offer covering all segment of goods including commodities, food items, consumer durables and apparel in the company's mega-markets.
"Although we have been giving special Independence Day discounts earlier also, this is the first year when we have gone for an extended week offer for the week after August 15," Vishal Retail chief executive officer Manmohan Agarwal said.
The retail chain is offering discount of up to 50 per cent in all apparel wear, besides 7 to 15 per cent discount in food items, special gift offers on durables and other freebies.
"The past year has been one of worry due to rising inflation and we want to re-assure the consumers during this special period," Agarwal added.
Vishal Retail is expecting a 50 per cent higher foot-fall than normal weekends in the company's 130 stores across the country.
"We have foot-falls of on average 3.5 lakh in our stores during a weekend. We are hoping to have 50 per cent more than average during the extended Independence Day week of special offer," he added.
Woodland General Manager for Marketing Lokesh Mishra said the company is planning to extend its special Autumns sales by another week to cover the period following August 15.
"Each year we have our special Autumn sales period and this time we might continue it for another week after August 15. The scheme include discounts of up to 40 per cent in apparel and 50 per cent in footwear," he said.