OnePlus is having a tough time maintaining good relations with retailers in India, as the local association representing them decided to stop selling the company’s products in their member stores.
AIMRA, an association representing over 150,000 outlets across India said they’ll be pulling OnePlus devices from May 1, 2024, citing thin profit margins, poor claim settlements and failing to deliver commitments.
Cutting Relation on Several Counts
OnePlus has long been advertised as a flagship killer, surpassing the likes of Samsung and Apple in premium smartphone segment. A reason for this is it’s unbelievable price-to-spec ratio, which offered a great value than rival flagships. While it’s an interesting offering, it ruined the company’s relationship with retailers in the long run!
As a result, thousands of retailers across India may stop selling OnePlus devices from next month, as noted by a prominent association representing the local outlets. As per Android Authority, the All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA), which represents over 150,000 offline smartphone retailers in India, has told OnePlus that its members might stop selling the company’s products soon.
This follows a similar notice by the South Indian Organized Retailers Association (ORA) last week, that announced the sale ban of OnePlus products from May 1, as cited below;
“For years, OnePlus India has neglected mainline retailers by failing to provide adequate stocks, offering poor margins, settling claims poorly, failing to deliver commitments and lacking a meaningful relationship with retailers in India (no demos, no promoters, no market visits overall, no SOPs) demonstrating neglect.”
ORA has around 4,500 retail outlets in six states: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, with stores like Poorvika, Sangeetha, Big C, and Pooja as it’s members.
While it’s concerning, OnePlus has most of it’s sales in India coming from Amazon or it’s native online store, so it can continue to survive. Yet, the company is working to regain the retailers’ trust, as explained to Android Authority;
“OnePlus values all the support it has received from our trusted retail partners in the last seven years. At present, we are working with our partners to address the areas highlighted, ensuring our continued commitment to a strong and prosperous relationship going forward.”
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