Flipkart, Amazon and Snapdeal set for upcoming mega sales war

A pitched battle among the country's largest online retailers is on the cards when Flipkart, Amazon India and Snapdeal roll out their flagship annual sales in the first week of October and bid for larger shares of consumer spend in the festive season. 

On Thursday, Amazon India announced that it would run its sale season from October 1 to 5, giving itself a head start as the two Indian companies launch their sales from October 2 to 6. All three companies will look to garner a significant portion.

In 2015, online retailers are estimated to have sold goods worth nearly Rs 9,000 crore in October, as shoppers splurge on gadgets, apparel, home furnishings and more.

"This year online retailers have tried to push the burden of discount on sellers wherever possible," said Mrigank Gutgutia, engagement manager at research firm RedSeer. But with merchants not in the mood to come up with flashy discount offers on their own, online retailers may be in for a damp festive season.

Marketplace Shopclues will also hold its sale from October 1-10, while Alibaba-backed Paytm is yet to announce dates for its festive sales. RedSeer estimates that overall value of goods sold on across all online marketplaces may not exceed Rs 10,000 crore in October this year.

Last year, industry estimates reckon that Flipkart, Snapdeal and Amazon India clocked up combined sales of between $500- $600 million during the festive day sales. Flipkart alone is estimated to have sold goods worth $300.