South India smartphone retailers show greater resilience amid sales downturn
AIMRA and Techarc’s Retailer Pulse survey found smartphone sales fell 51.4% in southern states, versus 64.3% in the north. Southern retailers also reported lower festive-season concern and stronger confidence in surviving the downturn.
What happened
All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA) · AIMRA and Techarc’s Retailer Pulse survey finds South India’s smartphone retail sales decline is less severe
Key facts
- Smartphone sales declined 51.4% in southern states
- Smartphone sales declined 64.3% in northern states
- 36% of southern retailers were worried ahead of the festive season
- 55% of northern retailers were worried
- 59% of southern retailers were confident of surviving the downturn
Why this matters
Prioritize partnerships, distribution expansion or acquisition targets in South India, where retailer confidence and relative demand stability may create a stronger platform for recovery.
What to watch
- Month-on-month smartphone sell-through by region and state-level store traffic.
- Dealer inventory days, payment delays and closure rates in North versus South India.
- Festive-season pre-bookings, exchange uptake and financing approval rates.
- OEM changes to regional stock allocation, dealer margins or promotional spending.
- Competitive discount intensity and average selling price trends by region.
- Increase stock depth in fast-moving value and mid-premium models at southern outlets while keeping northern inventory leaner.
- Offer selective dealer-credit extensions, sell-through incentives and bundle funding in the South to protect channel loyalty.
- Use regional demand data to tailor festive allocations rather than applying a uniform national inventory plan.
- Northern retailers should emphasize pre-orders, exchange programs, repair/services and lower working-capital exposure until traffic stabilizes.