Doklam script plays out at Margao, as phone retailers ‘oppo'se Chinese company's entry

the goan I network
MARGAO

Welcome to the commercial capital where cell phone retailers are furious over the proposed opening of an standalone Oppo cell phone showroom by the Chinese company in the city. In anticipation of the Oppo showroom opening in the city, over 100 cell phone retailers downed their shutters on Wednesday and held a sit-in dharna outside the proposed showroom, meters away from the old collectorate building.
Sporting black armbands, the retailers appeared a worried lot, apprehending that their very livelihood will be affected if Oppo is allowed to set shop in the city.
Carlton Pimenta of City Center said the local retailers are opposed to the Chinese company entering the state. "As long as they have a franchise, we have no problem. Their presence will affect our livelihood if they set up the showroom cum sales point without involving the local partners. The business should remain with the Goans and we all should grow together," Carlton said.
Syed Amjed of City Electronics also echoed similar sentiments. He pointed out that the retailers will have to shut shop if each of the branded names in the cell phone business open 10 showrooms across the state. "Who will come to our retail shops? Small retailers will have to wind up the business if the big players are allowed to set shop," Amjed pointed out.
He said a delegation of retailers had called on the company officials, with a plea not to open a direct company outlet on grounds that other brands will also follow suit, leaving local retailers in the lurch.
Another retailer pointed out that the company officials initially made the retailers to believe that they will open only a service centre. "But, when we called on the company officials, they said it is only an experience zone, adding that customers will not buy the products from the showroom. But, we are certain that the showroom will be an experience cum sales zone, which will take away all our customers since we can ill afford to offer gifts to the customers," the retailer said.
Margao police led by PI C L Patil rushed to the Oppo showroom anticipating a law and order situation. After the police made their presence felt, the protesting retailers left the showroom, only to protest outside.
While the retail cell phone outlets in the city remained shut on Wednesday, a delegation of the retailers will call on the Margao Chief Officer, Agnelo Fernandes with a plea not to issue any licence for the showroom until the concerns of the local retailers are taken care of by the company.