The smartphone market is an extremely fluid field, dependent on many external factors. Should one manufacturer receive less components for their devices and release a smaller batch of devices than originally planned, the balance of power in the market can change dramatically. Therefore, there will certainly be someone who will occupy an empty niche and strengthen their positions due to the miscalculations of competitors. But what if supply disruptions are experienced all at once?
All Chinese smartphones may disappear in Russia soon
Chinese brands Huawei, Honor, Xiaomi, Vivo, Realme, ZTE and Lenovo suspended the supply of branded smartphones to the Russian market due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, Kommersant learned. However, the reason for such a decision was not at all the requirement of local authorities, thus preventing the penetration of the virus into Russia. The fact is that the spread of the coronavirus has led to a limitation in the production of devices and, accordingly, a decrease in the export potential of manufacturers, who were forced to reduce supplies.
How the prices for Chinese smartphones will change
What will the shortage of Chinese smartphones lead to? To higher prices, of course
The decline in the supply of smartphones to the Russian market will be a temporary phenomenon, experts predict, and is likely to last about two weeks. Despite this, as a result, a shortage of goods may arise, which in turn will lead to a natural increase in prices for scarce goods by about 10-15%. Store shelves will definitely not empty completely, but it may happen that you have to run after some smartphones, researching other outlets for the availability of the necessary device.
However, some manufacturers promise that the reduction in supply volumes will not affect the availability of branded devices in Russian retail. According to representatives Vivo, imports will resume on February 10, however, the devices will be available from retailers throughout the period of forced holidays, which went to Chinese factories responsible for assembling equipment. The reason for this is due to the recent New Year holidays, for which retailers order even more smartphones from manufacturers, insuring themselves against possible shortages.
Is it possible to get infected with coronavirus through a parcel
On the other hand, there are no guarantees on how the coronavirus will spread and whether factories will be able to get out of vacation after the promised two weeks. It is quite possible that the forced time-out will last for 3, 4, and even 5 weeks, and then the stocks possessed by domestic retailers will gradually run out, which in turn will lead to a real shortage. In this case, gray retailers who sell equipment imported into the country illegally will be able to hike prices, and smartphones, which are no longer available anywhere else, will still buy.
Scientists have found that a virus cannot live long in an open environment, and therefore it is simply impossible to transmit a disease with a package. Therefore, you should not be afraid of packages from Chinese sellers operating on sites like AliExpress. In the end, it is possible that at some point they will remain the only way to buy a smartphone without the crazy extra charges of local servo carriers. But where is the guarantee that the Chinese themselves will not raise prices, sensing the increased demand?