NEW DELHI: One year after the Galwan valley escalation between China and India, 43 per cent of Indian consumers did not buy any made-in-China products in the last 12 months, as per a survey by Local Circles.
Of those Indian consumers who purchased them, 60 per cent bought only 1-2 items.
Majority Indian consumers who purchased made-in-China products did so because they are the cheapest available option and offer value for money.
However, 40 per cent of them also highlighted uniqueness and 38 per cent highlighted quality as a differentiator and that is something the Government of India and Indian manufacturers and MSMEs must act upon.
Post the attack on Indian soldiers in Galwan valley, many Indians had expressed their intent to boycott China-made products. The Local Circles survey conducted in November 2020 around the festive season indicated that 71 per cent of Indian consumers did not purchase Made-in-China products, and many of those who did ended up doing so because of their lower prices.
With most of that year being induced by the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, household earnings were severely impacted, and for some buying the lowest-cost product was not a choice but the only option and hence they ended up buying Chinese items.
The survey found out from those Indian consumers who purchased made-in-China products in the last 12 months, 60 per cent bought only 1-2 items. 14 per cent said they bought 3-5 products, 7 per cent bought 5-10, 2 per cent said 10-15, and another 2 per cent said more than 20 products. 10 per cent couldn't say. This indicates that of those who did buy Chinese products in the last 12 months, a majority 60 per cent bought 1-2 items only.
The responses on an aggregate basis indicate that 70 per cent of Indian consumers who purchased made-in-China products in the last 12 months did so because they felt products offered value for money. This question in the survey received 8,754 responses.
Alternatively, if we are to separately seek out reasons why Indian consumers bought made-in-China products, 70 per cent voted for "value for money", 40 per cent said "uniqueness", and 38 per cent cited "better quality". (IANS)