Fake Mega Sales in Kashmir: Influencers Ignite Panic Among Local Shopkeepers

 

Srinagar:

local business community in Kashmir is up in arms over a wave of alleged “fake mega sales” flooding markets across the region. Fueled by social media influencers, these promotions have triggered widespread alarm, with traders accusing them of undermining livelihoods and eroding trust in the local economy.

 

 

 

The controversy centers on jaw-dropping discounts advertised for branded goods—prices that shopkeepers say defy logic. For example, branded shoes with a typical retail price of ₹4,000 are being touted for as little as ₹300 to ₹500, while pants worth ₹2,000 are bundled into offers like five pairs for ₹500. Traders insist such deals are either impossible or a front for counterfeit products.

 

 

 

 

The Traders Federation has sounded the alarm, warning that these deceptive sales threaten the survival of honest businesses. They’ve called on the administration to crack down on those orchestrating the schemes and restore order to the marketplace.

 

 

 

 

 

“These so-called mega sales are a mirage—a cruel trick to lure customers while sabotaging the market’s integrity,” said a senior Federation member. “No legitimate business can sell authentic branded goods at these prices without peddling fakes or cutting corners.”

 

 

 

 

Local shopkeepers say the fallout goes beyond lost sales. Consumers, drawn in by the promise of unbeatable deals, often end up with shoddy or counterfeit items, leaving them disillusioned and wary of the market as a whole. “Trust is the backbone of trade,” one trader remarked. “When that breaks, we all suffer.”

 

 

 

 

The Federation is pressing for an urgent investigation and tougher regulations to shield genuine businesses from these predatory tactics. They’ve also issued a plea to the public: verify before you buy, and don’t let flashy offers cloud your judgment.

 

 

 

“Greed blinds the buyer, but it’s the honest seller who pays the price,” said another trader, encapsulating the frustration felt across Srinagar’s markets. As the debate intensifies, all eyes are on the administration to act swiftly and decisively.