11th October 2015

- The New Indian Express

WhatsApp Huge Hit Among Retailers, Buyers of Crackers as Sivakasi Goes for Social Media Marketing

VIRUDHUNAGAR: With barely a month left for the festival of lights Deepavali, cracker sellers in Sivakasi seem to have smartened up and are making optimal use of the social media to boost sales.

According to sources, the sale of crackers that was badly hit due to the influx of the cheaper Chinese crackers got a shot in the arm after they figured a way to advertise their products in the social media, especially WhatsApp.

The new initiative is a welcome move for the customers as they do not have to rush to cracker shops, which is crowded at this time of the year. They can simply go through the products on WhatsApp and place their orders from the comfort of their homes. Prompt home delivery is made.

V Sivaraman, a cracker dealer, said “We gave handouts to people about the varieties of crackers on sale. Interested persons call us and we send our price list and pictures to them through WhatsApp. After that they place orders, which is promptly delivered.”

“It is very effective as people are not forced to visit crowded shops to purchase crackers,” said another cracker dealer L Mariappan.

This year new varieties such ‘Sports Series’ and ‘Cartoon Galatta’ introduced by Sony Fireworks is proving to be a big hit. Another manufacturer has introduced a see through gift box.

T Ganesan, an authorised dealer of Sony Fireworks, said most people prefer fancy crackers as they are very colourful. “There are several varieties of fancy crackers. Usually the fancy crackers would be of sizes ranging between 2 to 4.5 inches. This year the newly introduced ‘Sports Series’ and ‘Cartoon Galatta’ are 5 inches and cost `260 per piece,” he said.