Swine flu mars IT biz in Pune

Pune: Rising incidents of people falling prey to swine flu and the spread in H1N1 virus has slowed down the IT business massively in Pune. With retail business receiving the maximum jolt, many channel partners shared that inflow of clients ranging from corporate and education segments have also reduced amounting to considerable losses. On the other hand distributors indicated that retail business has slowed down by nearly 70 percent and the customer footfalls have reduced massively.
Following this, Computer Media Dealers Association, Pune (CMDA) has directed its members to refrain from business till August 16. The association has circulated mails and SMS amongst the members and requested them to close down their shops and offices, in their bid to contain the virus from spreading further.

Naresh Lalwani, President, CMDA Pune reiterated, “As part of a precautionary measure against swine flu we have requested our members to shut their offices and shops till August 16. The spread of virus has amounted to business losses and reduced footfalls in the retail outlets and showrooms. We will decide on the course of action to be undertaken further since at the moment Pune city has come to a halt.”

With almost a curfew like scenario emerging in Pune coupled with reduced customer calls and footfalls, partners are not very hopeful of the business environment improving any sooner. Many partners are planning to concentrate on other markets and are evaluating business opportunities, in case the situation does not improve. Still others are of the view that there is no need to panic and have undertaken precautions to restrict the virus from spreading any further.

Sharing his perspective, Ashwin Sanghvi, Laptech India Solution, Pune stated, “Retail is the biggest contributor to my business and I have already witnessed a 50 percent slowdown in that segment. I don't expect the footfalls to improve any further.”
Anil Tikotekar, CEO, Data Care Corporation, Pune opined, “Business undoubtedly has suffered. While retail has been hit inflow of client calls from corporate and education segment have also reduced considerably.”

Yet another Pune dealer, Vishwas Dixit of Fourtech Computers elaborated, “Product movement has slowed down since the last and business has been affected to a large extent. We are evaluating various options and thinking of concentrating on other markets in case the situation does not improve.”

However, Mumbai and Nagpur markets have yet not hit the panic button. While Nagpur based Vidharbha Computer Media Dealers and Welfare Association (VCMDWA) is planning to hold a awareness camp in their bid to curb swine flu, retailers in Mumbai are exercising precautionary measure instead of shutting down operations.

Prashant Ugemuge, President of VCMDWA opined, “We don't want to create a hype around swine flu and do not plan to close our shops and offices at the moment. We are holding talks with City Corporation and will soon run an awareness camp to contain the virus from spreading further.”

A representative of Redington India shared, “The retail segment has slowed down by 70 percent registering a revenue loss of nearly 40-50 percent. I myself visited the retail outlets of various partners and have witnessed the reduced footfalls. Even corporate, education and other segments have postponed their decisions on various deals until next week.”