Major Mobile Retail Chains in India to Discontinue Sales of OnePlus Smartphones, Tablets, and Wearables: Report

OnePlus devices are reportedly set to disappear from store shelves across the Southern and Western regions of India following a new directive by the South Indian Organised Retailers Association (ORA). According to a recent report, the mobile retailers association, which oversees a significant number of stores, announced this decision in a letter that has yet to be publicly disclosed. Starting May 1, 2024, the ORA has declared that it will discontinue the sales of OnePlus mobile devices across all retailers within its network.

The ORA’s network includes major retail chains in the southern region such as Poorvika, Sangeetha, and Big C, which are well-known for their extensive reach and customer base. The association has cited ongoing issues with the Chinese brand and its products as the primary reason behind this decision. These issues have not been elaborated upon, but they are significant enough to prompt such a drastic measure.

The decision is expected to impact around 4,500 brick-and-mortar retailers in these regions, significantly affecting the availability of OnePlus devices in physical stores. This move could potentially drive consumers to explore online platforms or other brands available in these retail outlets. The ORA’s influence in the market suggests that this decision will have a notable impact on OnePlus’s sales strategy and market presence in India.

OnePlus, known for its high-performance smartphones, tablets, and wearables, has enjoyed substantial popularity in India. However, the recent directive from the ORA indicates a growing strain in the relationship between the brand and physical retailers. This development may push OnePlus to address the issues raised by the retailers’ association to regain their support and maintain their market share.

The directive comes at a time when the Indian smartphone market is highly competitive, with numerous brands vying for consumer attention. The removal of OnePlus devices from these major retail chains could create opportunities for rival brands to fill the void left by OnePlus. This shift may also influence consumer buying patterns, with a possible increase in online sales for OnePlus if physical availability diminishes.

Overall, the ORA’s decision underscores the importance of strong retailer-manufacturer relationships in maintaining market presence and sales momentum. As the situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see how OnePlus responds and whether they can resolve the issues with the retailers’ association to restore their position in the physical retail space.

Over the years, the above brands have also focussed on opening their own experiential stores in India, where customers can try out and purchase products at the store itself, pushing mobile retailers further away from customers. After years of delays, Apple too opened two of its own Apple Stores in the country last year, with Samsung following up with a similarly designed store in Mumbai.