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FAIITA and UPCDWA host 2nd IT Expo and Retail Conclave in Lucknow

by VARINDIA 2024-09-26

The Federation of All India IT Associations (FAIITA) and the Uttar Pradesh Computer Dealers Welfare Association (UPCDWA) successfully organized the second edition of the IT Expo and Retail Conclave on September 23 and 24 at The Regnant hotel in Lucknow. The event was inaugurated by the Honorable Shri Brajesh Pathak, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and was attended by a diverse group of IT professionals, technology providers, and partners from the IT retail industry.

The 2nd edition of IT Expo and Retail Conclave, held in Lucknow, was a significant platform aimed at showcasing the latest innovations in information technology, with a special focus on solutions tailored for the retail sector. The event also aimed to promote collaborations within the industry by bringing together key players from the IT and retail sectors.The event attracted prominent industry leaders, including Sunil Singhi, Chairman, National Traders Welfare Board, Government of India, Devesh Rastogi, President, FAIIT, Navin Gupta, General Secretary, FAIITA, Pankaj Agarwal, President, UPCDWA

The two-day IT Expo and Retail Conclave featured an engaging panel discussion with industry leaders from major PC brands like Dell, Acer, HP, and ASUS, focusing on the current state of the PC retail business amidst a rapidly changing market landscape. The discussion centered on the significant challenges posed by the rise of e-commerce platforms, which have transformed consumer shopping behaviors and created new pressures for traditional retail channels.

Key Discussion Points:

Impact of E-commerce on PC Retail: The panellists examined how the growing popularity of e-commerce has affected physical retail stores. The shift towards online shopping has driven changes in consumer preferences, pushing retailers to adapt quickly.
Retailers' Concerns:
- Pricing Pressures: Retailers highlighted the pricing challenges they face when competing with e-commerce platforms, where discounts and deals are more prevalent.
- Attracting Customers to Physical Stores: Retailers expressed concern over the difficulty of drawing customers back to brick-and-mortar stores as convenience and pricing advantages draw consumers towards online shopping.

During the Q&A session, while retailers flagged their issues related to pricing pressures and their struggle to attract customers to the physical stores, the brands shared innovative strategies for enhancing in-store experiences.

The two day event has witnessed representatives from various leading brands, including HP, Dell, Asus, AMD, Lenovo, Acer, Quick Heal, Brother, Tally, and Digital Live Services, delivered insightful presentations showcasing their innovative products, sharing their business journeys, and outlining their channel strategies for the future.

Devesh Rastogi, President of FAIITA, raised significant concerns faced by IT retailers, particularly due to the rise of online businesses. He emphasized that the surge of e-commerce has dramatically affected physical stores, leading to the closure of many shops and creating substantial risks for the trade, which in turn has caused unemployment in the sector.

Rastogi highlighted that the Government of India had formulated a policy to address the impact of online businesses on traditional retail, but it has been pending for four to five years. He stated that FAIITA is actively discussing the e-commerce policy with the government and is also working through the National Traders Board to address the issue. Rastogi sought the support of the Government of Uttar Pradesh, urging them to back the concerns of the traders by sending a letter to the central government, which he believes will help resolve the issue and save jobs.

Rastogi brought attention to issues with GST compliance, particularly around input credit. While acknowledging the maturity of the GST system over the past seven years and the significant role of traders in the collection of revenue, he pointed out that problems with input credit refunds still persist. He urged for reforms that would recognize the contribution of traders and help resolve these technical issues more effectively. Rastogi called for necessary reforms to reduce the operational challenges for traders. He suggested that traders who have been compliant for years and are contributing to revenue should be recognized for their efforts. There aws concerned on the Input Credit Issues: A mechanism should be in place to resolve technical glitches that prevent traders from receiving input credit, which continues to be a major problem.

Brajesh Pathak, Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, assured IT traders that their concerns would be addressed at the highest levels of government. Responding to the issues raised by Devesh Rastogi, President of FAIITA, particularly regarding GST and challenges faced by offline retailers, Pathak committed to ensuring that these matters are taken seriously and resolved promptly.

Pathak acknowledged the difficulties faced by traders related to GST compliance and input credit issues. He promised to raise these concerns at the upcoming GST Council meeting in Delhi, ensuring that the grievances of honest taxpayers are taken into account. His commitment was clear: those who comply with the tax system and contribute to revenue should not face undue harassment or technical barriers, and he would advocate for this at the highest level.

Addressing the broader challenges faced by offline IT retailers, particularly in the face of growing e-commerce competition, Pathak assured that the government would work on creating policies to protect and support traditional retail businesses. He emphasized the importance of conveying these concerns to higher authorities and formulating solutions that ensure the continuous growth of the IT retail sector.

Navin Gupta, General Secretary of FAIITA, spoke about the significance of the event, stating that the Retail Conclave and IT Expo 2024 was a milestone for the IT retail sector. He highlighted the event as a crucial platform for dialogue, collaboration, and innovation within the industry. The expo, according to Gupta, aimed to Empower partners in the IT retail sector by providing opportunities for engagement and collaboration. The Expeo is aimed to help the industry navigate challenges posed by the dynamically changing market landscape, such as the rise of e-commerce and shifting consumer preferences. Gupta reinforced the collective effort to ensure that the sector remains resilient and successful, even in the face of rapid changes.

Pankaj Agarwal, President of the Uttar Pradesh Computer Dealers Welfare Association (UPCDWA), emphasized the significance of events like the IT Expo and Retail Conclave in helping businesses thrive in an evolving technological landscape. In his address, Agarwal highlighted the importance of collaboration and industry engagement to ensure the success of the IT sector. Agarwal stressed that events such as this expo are crucial for helping businesses adapt to rapid technological changes and succeed in the increasingly competitive and digital-driven environment. He expressed gratitude to the attendees for their active participation and the valuable insights they contributed, which are vital for driving progress in the IT retail sector.

The two-day IT Expo and Retail Conclave concluded with an insightful address by Sunil Singhi, President of the National Traders Welfare Board, Government of India. In his closing remarks, Singhi shared details of various initiatives undertaken by the central government to support traders, including those in the IT sector. Singhi highlighted several programs and initiatives designed to bolster the traders' community, ensuring their continued growth and resilience in an increasingly competitive market. He reiterated the government's commitment to nurturing the IT industry as a fundamental driver of economic progress. Singhi emphasized that the central government views IT dealers and retailers as key contributors to the economy and is actively working to address their concerns and create policies that will enable them to thrive.