Big discounts on ACs, cars, phones to beat GST deadline

Customers are being given discounts and cashback offers on several product categories such as TVs, laptops, mobile phones, air conditioners and refrigerators.

A number of brands and retailers are offering special discounts to consumers to ensure that their sellers’ stock is cleared before the Goods and Services Tax (GST) comes into play from next month.

These commercial entities want to offload their stocks to minimise complex legal formalities related to carrying over and claiming input credit under the new tax regime.

Paytm is holding a ‘Pre-GST Sale’, hosting over 6,000 retailers across 500 brands. Through this, consumers can get discounts and cashback on a range of product categories, such as TVs, laptops, mobile phones, air conditioners, refrigerators, DSLRs and footwear.

“This sale has come at an opportune time for offline retailers who are looking to offload their entire inventory before the new tax rates become effective,” Paytm said in an emailed response.

Even online drug marketplace 1mg has jumped on the bandwagon. “Due to GST, there may be a shortage of medicines in July. Stock medicines@20 per cent off on 1mg.com to avoid issues,” read a communication sent to customers.

The landmark GST reform kicks in from July 1.

All e-commerce companies have been engaging with the merchants on their platforms to ensure a smooth transition to the new taxation system.

ShopClues – which has about five lakh merchants on its platform – said it is organising seller summits in various cities, sending regular updates to merchants through mails and updating GST-related information on its seller portal.

“Soon, we will organise weekly webinars, where merchants can get their doubts clarified from our internal GST experts,” it added.

Several non-virtual retailers have also slashed prices to dispose of merchandise ahead of the new tax regime’s launch, advancing their end-of-season sales by a month.

Sportswear brand Puma is offering an extra 10% off on the flat 40% discount while outfit-maker Allen Solly is presenting a buy-one-get-one free scheme to its customers. Levi’s is giving away two items free on the purchase of two, while Flying Machine is offering a discount of up to 50%.

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