Trade expectations for the end of the year are high in terms of sales, but in some product categories, chains and brands run the risk of dealing with low inventory availability due to the "container crisis" that has complicated global imports.
This Thursday, the Government itself and Fenalco, the sector's union, warned consumers of the situation when referring to the preparations for the three days without VAT, the next October 28, November 19 and December 3. Conjuncture that will coincide with the end of the year, the most dynamic in purchases.
Jaime Alberto Cabal from Fenalco, explained to Portafolio that “it is very important and to be very careful not to talk about shortages. What we believe is that some imported products, especially in the area of technology and household appliances, may suffer some drop in inventories, especially if the demand is very large”.
“It is likely that between date and date, if containers arrive, a replenishment will be made, but it is simply to be taken into account so that consumers do not think that the warehouse has kept the inventory for not selling with the VAT discount, because It doesn't make any sense nor would it have any additional use”, he explained.
(Read: Last quarter of the year, the 'revenge' for trade)
In the presentation on what the days without VAT will be like with the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, María Ximena Lombana, the union leader warned that Colombians can find high prices, given that several products entered the country three months ago when the dollar was around $4,000. The trade imports about 40 to 50 percent of the products.
For her part, the minister indicated that there may be a high demand for products on the first day, which may lead to a lack of availability on the other days without VAT.
Portfolio consulted several brands and chains to find out their situation regarding imports, but several of them preferred not to refer to the subject. Those that did sent messages that they seek to satisfy consumers willing to buy for the high season, although there is no lack of uncertainty about what happens in the coming weeks.
One of the categories in which there may be a lack of availability is cell phones, of high demand and importance in sales at the end of the year, due to global difficulties related to the scarcity of raw materials that have been publicly known. Today the suppliers say something and tomorrow the panorama may change, but the merchants try to negotiate as well as possible and to guarantee the greatest number of units in the store, said a source consulted.
(Read: Changes in the days without VAT: new products and payment methods)
Project Success students learning how to write a business plan and a financial plan. This is a long process, but th… https://t.co/wvTAGc3FeJ
— deandre davis Wed Feb 03 18:00:37 +0000 2021
REALITY
Carlos Ariel Gómez, commercial and supply vice president of Grupo Éxito, explained that “we have been strengthening our supply hand in hand with our suppliers, mainly in the electro-digital category. In this case, understanding the situation of international supply and logistics, we have made multiple efforts to mitigate it, however, the reality of international trade tells us that it is possible to have sold out on this day given the high demand”.
In general, from Andi, the appliance companies said they were ready for these dates.
Santiago Holguín, general manager of Lenovo Colombia, said that "we have enough inventory to meet the demand for laptops, desktops and tablets that will be generated in the three days without VAT, as well as on Black Friday and the Christmas season. that are approaching."
(Read: Fenalco ruled out giving extra discount to vaccinated during days without VAT)
Our customers will be able to go to chain stores or enter our e-commerce page to purchase our devices without any problem; we have prepared ourselves so that people can have an excellent shopping experience on these important dates that remain this year”, he affirmed.
In this regard, Julián Orozco Vásquez, Kalley's senior product manager, said that the brand has managed to plan a very good purchase for the last quarter of 2021: "We consider having sufficient inventory, although demand on days without VAT is unpredictable. Especially in categories such as Televisions (with the highest consumption on the day without VAT), 'smartphones' and minor appliances”.
“In addition to the effects of the price of the dollar and international freight, the low availability of chipsets (semiconductors), and special components such as TV screens and the high cost of raw materials such as aluminum and plastic, have greatly affected the costs of products, in this case electrical appliances. In conclusion, we will see higher prices in this last quarter of the year, compared to what has been seen on average since the beginning of 2021”, estimated the manager.
APPLIANCE COMPANIES ARE READY: ANDI
The household appliance sector has been preparing all year to meet demand on VAT-free days and they are ready.
"Both local producers and importers work 7/24 to offer the portfolio and give consumers opportunities to buy all products in better conditions," said Florencia Leal, executive director of Andi's Chamber of the Electrical Appliances Sector.
"National companies have generated new jobs to manufacture and deliver their products and are, like importers with their logistics chain, betting on the reactivation and attention to the consumer, job creation and consumer satisfaction," he added, inviting the consumers to be encouraged to buy the products that the industry will offer. CONSTANZA GÓMEZ GUASCA Journalist Portfolio
