"Furnishing stores are offering discounts up to 60 per cent to allure customers"

As the festive season is approaching, furnishing stores have come up with alluring offers to attract customers. At a time when the furnishing market is witnessing sluggish sales due to the April earthquake, the festive season has arrived as a ray of hope for business revival.

According to dealers, their sales have dropped by around 30 per cent as compared to the corresponding time last year. In this backdrop, stores are offering up to 60 per cent discount and schemes like — ‘Buy two get one free’ to attract customers.

“The earthquake has badly affected the market as customers are not excited about decorative products,” informed Kunal Agrawal, Managing Director at Kunal Flooring and Furnishing. “We are offering discounts to attract genuine customers and make home decoration on budget for Dashain and Tihar festivals,” he said.

Kunal Flooring and Furnishing is providing a special discounts of up to 60 per cent on carpets, curtain fabrics, upholstery and furniture. Citing that many loyal customers wait for the festive offer, Agrawal said, “The festive season is regarded as the best time for customers to buy products at heavily discounted prices. Meanwhile, it gives us an opportunity to increase our sales and loyal customers.” According to him, they usually have 30 per cent sales hike during the festive season in comparison to regular months.

Citing that there is a tough competition in the market, he said, “Since there are ample players in the furnishing market, only quality products and unique designs can survive the competition.” Of late, the unrest in the Tarai has also affected the business of furnishing. “Two containers loaded with our products are stuck at the custom point,” he informed, adding that slowly picking up business is once again troubled by Tarai unrest.

The store has furnishing and flooring products from China, Thailand, India, Germany, Turkey and Belgium. The price of curtains starts from Rs 300 up to Rs 3,000 per metre and Rs 700 to Rs 3,000 for sofa fabrics. It costs Rs 135 to Rs 250 sq ft for carpets. The offer is valid till Tihar.

“Every year we launch heavy discount offers on our products as festive offers. Discounts not only help customers but also helps us to boost business,” said Virendra Jindal, Proprietor of Ratul Entreprises at Kumaripati.

“However, this year we are facing a decline in sales by almost 50 per cent as compared to the last year,” he added. Being optimistic about the market, he said, “Generally customers shop 10 days before the festival and we are hopeful that sales will rise up as the festival comes closer.”

Jindal complained that mushrooming furnishing outlets and unhealthy competition along with the duplication of products has further hampered the business. According to him, they usually witness 50 per cent growth in sales during the festive season.

The store announced a special ‘Buy two, get one free’ offer on bed sheets and discounts up to 40 per cent on other products. Moreover, the store offers 40 per cent discounts on limited stock of carpets. The store has curtains, mattresses, pillows, carpets, cushion covers and plastic furniture imported from India, Dubai, Turkey and Egypt. The offers are valid till October 17.

Manager of Madan Furnishing at Kupondole, Rahul Sarawagi stated that the business of furnishing is down by 15 per cent as compared to the last year. “We are optimistic, the festive offers will definitely increase our sales,” he said, adding that they are offering festive discounts up to 40 per cent till the end of Tihar.

Imported mainly from India, Malaysia, Korea, China and Germany, the store has a wide range of different furnishing products such as curtains, quilts, pillows, carpets, rugs, et cetera. According to him, they used to experience 50 per cent growth in sales during festive season.

source: the himalayan times, 19 sep 2015