Big players versus the small ones. Inviting your thoughts.
Hi again!
What's up my wonderful people? How was today, day 7 of #lockdownindia for you? This morning, I demonstrated a unique method of wiping the floor on my instagram stories. Did you see it? If not please do watch. It's sure to delight and suprise you :)
A little while back, I received this message on Whatsapp.
I have always supported the local businesses.
But I have also supported the small sellers on Amazon and Flipkart. E-commerce has indeed benefitted so many people by expanding the reach of their market. The fact is Amazon is market place---a large collection of sellers. So, when you say you won't support amazon, you are also saying you will boycott hundreds of small entrepreneurs who use amazon and flipkart to extend the range of their reach.
I strongly support local bookstores. Whenever I go to a bookstore, I always end up buying stuff for at least rupees thousand to two thousand. I don't want bookstores to close down. But I do read my books on Kindle too, as there are innumerable benefits to it.
I think both should co-exist: The small seller as well as the big e-commerce players.
What do you think?
Do you think the big players will eventually wipe out the small kirana stores dotted all over? (They have already killed the business of many bookstores).
I would love to hear your views.Kindly leave me a comment in my comment box, telling me what you think about the above whatsapp message which I shared. If you are reading this in your inbox please head over to my blog and leave me a message there.
Till tomorrow, stay cheerful. We're in this together.
Lots of love
Preeti
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Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash
They always should co exist..both have its own advantages..one is for reach and useful for connecting with more people ,one is for supporting all small independent local business..
ReplyDeleteYes, thank you for leaving a comment.
DeleteI agree with your thoughts. That Whatsapp post was a sentimental if not propagandist view of the situation. Why ignore that these big e-sellers had to stop deliveries to keep safe and to conspicuously display solidarity in the pandemic situation today. Delivery boys are at risk if they try to deliver. In fact, one dely boy of a medical supplying site was beaten up though he had a valid curfew pass and had showed it to his attackers. I wish that choosing between e-sellers and the local shops were not judged on an uneven playing field. Both have their advantages/disadvantages, and there is no valid reason why both can't co-exist with their respective fans. Why become fanatical on such issues.
ReplyDeleteI too felt the person was being emotional.Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
DeleteSorry for saying the harsh truth Ma'am. If Amazon and Flipcart are supporting the local workers they should have delivered the products which can be sell within the District. They are not serving the society rather they are making lot of profit out of it. But,the local shops have some little concern towards their Buyers..
ReplyDeleteI think they had Government restrictions like all other big companies.
DeleteI second your thought. Huge number of youngsters involved in small businesses as sellers in online. Yes we should also support local vendors. Balance should be there. For example, in my case I always order novels, books online because books either would be delay in bookstores or unavailable.
ReplyDeleteI hear you. Thank you for leaving a comment.
DeleteI agree with both of you!I would like to first talk about his first concern - that is- "where are these people now?" Local store is the keeper's own risk. Similarly, e-commerce giant's business is his own risk. Amazon and flipkart's work deal with lots of supply chain managament processes- buying, distributing, packaging, selling and involves dealing with lots of manpower. WIth the GoI passing the orders for lockdown and social distancing is of prime importance, Amazon and all e- commerce giants must obviously and are bound shutdown all these keeping this emergency in mind! Local stores thing is a different scenario entirely from this.
ReplyDeleteNext his statement of not encouraging to buy online. This can't be feasible much in this generation. Both public and private partners co-exist even in Government. And e-commerce is an advancement which reaps benefits of our technology and intelligence, As you mentioned, it supports many youth with jobs and make their livelihood. Having stated this, I also mention that the local stores aren't ignored at all. We and many other people still look only for these for daily essentials, shops for shopping and to peep inside the bookstore and buy them. This is true. There is still huge demand and there is business for these local sellers. May be electronic showrooms and other big equipment might be looked into these apps to find some decent discount and rated quality. So, there is not much injustice with anyone. Having said these, I say everything should have a balance! Not too much or not too low!
Yes--I hear you. :) Thank you for leaving a comment!
DeleteThanks for this post Mam! I use Flipkart and Amazon to buy some books which I don't get in my local bookstores. Now I'm missing going to my favourite bookstores. I love to spend time there.
ReplyDeleteAs for fruits and vegetables, I buy them fresh in local shops where they don't freeze.
Thank you for sharing !
DeleteWelcome Mam!
DeleteThanks for another post Preeti! I have a collection of all your books. Most of them were pre ordered from Amazon after they were launched. However, 'Tea For Two and a Piece of Cake' as well as 'The Secret Wishlist' were bought from the bookstore. Whenever I visit the Mall, I love going to the bookstores so I can see a variety of books, smell the pages and come across new titles and authors who I had not heard about before. For my birthday, my husband bought me a Kindle as I like to read. However, reading a hard copy as to digitally has its pros and cons. I hope once things get better I can visit a bookstore and buy a few books so that it can be added to my Library! Take care.
ReplyDeleteYou too! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
DeletePreetiji loved your innovative style of wiping the floor.It did made me smile first when I saw it.😊😊 and then made me laugh at my clumsiness when I tried it and slipped.But nonetheless it was enjoyable.Mam as per the poll either or gardening vs portrait vs workout etc....Would like to see all.Cant get enough of your posts.Greedy I am.😊 and LOVE IT SO MUCH WHEN I SEE YOUR REPLY ON MY COMMENT.THANK YOU MAM 🙏🙏
ReplyDeleteThe other debate -Big e-giants vs Small local shopkeepers debate has been there for quite some time.The fact is both are and can co-exist together.The local shopkeepers are widespread and their deep penetration levels play a crucial role in their survival.Moreover many local business partner with e-companies and break into business in new territories.I have witnessed local kirana walas ordering packaged groceries online (,at a discount) and selling them away at MRP thus gaining margins in between.The fact that the e-commerce companies have a business model which is integrated with logistics and a set process.A sudden virus disturbs the existing business model and it would take some time for the companies to find a new process in this new abnormal situation.
Haha! I should have added the disclaimer that I am not responsible for injuries. Hope you weren't hurt.
DeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts!
No Mam I am absolutely fine but thank you so much for bringing a smile on my face as well as of my family members.Thank you 🙏🙏
DeleteI am completely with Mr Joshi. We have to support local community. The big ones will survive. In these tough times it is the local communities that have to help each other survive.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts. It needn't be an either/or situation is what I was trying to say.
Delete