Arvind Mediratta, managing director and chief executive, Metro Cash and Carry India, said compared to last year’s lockdown, consumer sentiment in the second wave is depressed. Mediratta said consumers are unlikely to splurge on big-ticket items like large televisions and pricey smartphones this year amid the depressed sentiment. Saurabh Baishakhia, president of appliances at electronics firm Usha International, said the buying behaviour of consumers has totally changed with the devastating second wave. Mint reported earlier that several large consumer electronics firms scaled back production in April after a surge in infections led states to announce partial curbs. Sodhi, managing director, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, which sells the Amul brand of products, said large consumer durables and fast-moving consumer goods makers may face a difficult quarter.

Source: Mint May 17, 2021 18:22 UTC