{
  "id": 13931876,
  "title": "₹24,000 Crore Online Festive Sales Spark Concern, Traders Seek Fairer Pricing",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/24-000-crore-online-festive-sales-spark-concern-traders-seek-fairer",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-12T10:03:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/24000-crore-online-festive-sales-spark-concern-traders-seek-fairer-pricing"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Confederation of West Bengal Trade Associations has expressed alarm over deep festive discounts on e-commerce platforms that are squeezing traditional retailers, as a widening online-offline price gap diverts consumer spending. The trade body reported online platforms generated ₹24,000 crore in sales during the first two days of the festive season, urging authorities to investigate pricing disparities and their long-term effects on local businesses. CWBTA president Sushil Poddar emphasized the issue lies in the price gap, rather than the growth of digital commerce itself. He noted that traditional shops struggle to match the discounted prices offered by large online platforms, especially when identical products are priced differently.\n\nThe Confederation of All India Traders also called for fair application of rules across both online and offline sellers, warning that digital trade should not rely on pricing practices that endanger the survival of traditional businesses. Shop costs, including rent, salaries, electricity, taxes, transportation, inventory, and maintenance, limit the pricing flexibility of offline retailers, who operate with narrow margins and are less able to counter aggressive online discounts. Although healthy competition benefits the market, the association argues that excessive price differences create an uneven playing field for neighborhood businesses.\n\nThe festive season is a critical sales period for traditional traders, who invest significant funds in stocking products in anticipation of high demand. The CWBTA contends that cheaper online offers could reduce foot traffic, slow inventory turnover, and intensify pressure on retail margins. They described the reported ₹24,000 crore sales figure as a signal for policymakers to evaluate the evolving retail landscape. The trade body stressed the need for price transparency and reasonable price parity for identical products and brands, clarifying that they do not seek restrictions on e-commerce or consumer choice, and support technology adoption and healthy competition. Poddar urged for collaboration between online commerce and traditional retail, encouraging support for local stores.",
  "summary": "Kolkata: The Confederation of West Bengal Trade Associations has warned that deep festive discounts on e-commerce platforms are squeezing traditional retailers, as a widening online-offline price gap redirects consumer spending. The trade body claimed online platforms recorded ₹24,000 crore in sales during the first two days of the festive season. It urged authorities to examine pricing…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}