Croma and Vijay Sales Outdo Amazon and Flipkart with Heavier Black Friday Discounts on Electronics
- Kieran Montague
- 27 November 2025
- 0 Comments
When Croma kicked off its Black Friday sale on November 22, 2025, shoppers didn’t just get a discount—they got a wake-up call. For the first time in years, traditional brick-and-mortar retailers are outmaneuvering Amazon India and Flipkart on price, timing, and perks, turning the annual shopping frenzy into a showdown between e-commerce giants and local electronics powerhouses. By launching earlier and stacking discounts with bank cashbacks, no-cost EMIs, and trade-in bonuses, Vijay Sales and Croma are reshaping how Indians shop for electronics—and it’s not just about cheaper laptops anymore. It’s about trust, service, and real value that online giants can’t easily replicate.
Who’s Winning the Black Friday Race?
Vijay Sales didn’t wait for the Friday hype. It started its "Mega Black Friday Sale" on Wednesday, November 20, 2025, giving customers a full 10-day window to shop—longer than any e-commerce platform. Laptops? Starting at ₹25,790. Gaming rigs? Up to 40% off. Even budget Android phones dipped below ₹6,500. The Google Pixel 9a, a mid-range flagship, was slashed to ₹44,999, undercutting Amazon’s listing by nearly ₹5,000. Meanwhile, Croma, Tata Group’s retail arm, rolled out its week-long sale on November 22, with laptops from HP, Dell, and Lenovo starting at ₹30,990. The HP 14 with AMD Ryzen 3? Down from ₹47,715 to ₹35,541. The Dell Inspiron 15? ₹38,999, down from ₹43,637. These aren’t flash sales—they’re structured, sustained discounts backed by physical stores where you can test the device before buying.Amazon India and Flipkart, by contrast, held back. Amazon’s sale began November 28, with up to 80% off—but many of those deals were on older models or required coupon codes. Flipkart’s window, from November 23 to 28, felt rushed. Neither offered the same breadth of exchange bonuses or the same level of in-store support. And while Amazon touted its "No Cost EMI up to 9 months," Croma and Vijay Sales matched that with up to 24 months—no interest, no hidden fees.
The Hidden Edge: Banking Partnerships and Exchange Bonuses
Here’s the twist: the real discounts aren’t always on the price tag. They’re in the fine print. Croma and Vijay Sales are partnering with Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, and HDFC Bank to deliver up to ₹5,000 instant cashback on credit and debit card purchases. That’s not a promo—it’s a direct subsidy. Combine that with trade-in bonuses, and a ₹40,000 laptop can drop to under ₹30,000 after exchange. One customer in Bengaluru told me: "I traded my three-year-old Dell for ₹8,500 extra on top of the discount. I walked out with a new HP and ₹2,000 in my wallet. Amazon didn’t even match that."Reliance Digital, launching on November 28, is playing catch-up with its own "Black Friday Extravaganza," promising up to 50% off on TVs, soundbars, and tablets. But it’s not just about price. It’s about experience. At Croma’s Delhi store, customers get free screen cleaning, device setup, and a 1-year extended warranty—all included. Flipkart’s website? You click, you wait, you hope the warranty works.
Why This Matters for Indian Consumers
This isn’t just another sale. It’s a structural shift. For years, Indians assumed online was cheaper. Now, physical retailers are proving they can match—and often beat—digital prices while adding human value. The average Indian shopper isn’t just looking for the lowest number. They want reliability, service, and assurance. When a salesperson at Vijay Sales walks you through the difference between an Intel i3 and an AMD Ryzen 5, that’s not marketing—it’s education. And in a market where 62% of first-time laptop buyers are unsure about specs, that matters.Even international pricing is influencing this battle. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra dropped to $899.99 globally—a 31% cut. Indian retailers are mirroring that, bringing in the same model at ₹74,999, while Amazon listed it at ₹79,999. Local retailers are leveraging bulk imports and lower logistics costs to undercut global e-commerce platforms. The result? A more competitive, consumer-friendly market.
What’s Next? The Rise of the Hybrid Retail Model
The future of retail in India isn’t online versus offline. It’s hybrid. Croma and Vijay Sales are winning because they’re blending the best of both: the convenience of digital deals with the reassurance of physical stores. They’re using data to predict demand, running targeted SMS campaigns, and even offering same-day delivery from local outlets. Meanwhile, Amazon and Flipkart are scrambling to open more pickup points and hire in-store staff. The writing’s on the wall: if you want to dominate Black Friday in India, you can’t just be a website. You need shelves, staff, and service.And the clock is still ticking. The sales run through Cyber Monday, November 30, 2025. That’s ten full days of deals. For families planning to upgrade TVs before Diwali next year, or students buying laptops before semester exams, this isn’t just a sale—it’s a lifeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Croma and Vijay Sales offering better discounts than Amazon and Flipkart?
Croma and Vijay Sales benefit from direct partnerships with manufacturers, lower logistics costs due to physical inventory, and deeper bank collaborations that allow them to offer instant cashbacks and longer no-cost EMIs. Unlike Amazon and Flipkart, which rely on third-party sellers and complex coupon systems, these retailers control pricing and margins end-to-end, enabling steeper, more transparent discounts.
Which laptop deal is the best value during Black Friday 2025?
The HP 15 with 13th Gen Intel Core i3, priced at ₹36,999 at Croma, offers the best balance of performance and price. It’s ₹14,704 cheaper than its original MSRP, includes a Full HD screen, SSD storage, and comes with up to ₹5,000 bank cashback and 24-month EMI. Compared to Amazon’s similar model at ₹42,990, Croma’s offer saves you nearly ₹6,000 outright.
Can I get the same deals online from Vijay Sales and Croma?
Yes, both retailers offer identical discounts online and in-store. But the real advantage comes from visiting a physical outlet: you can test devices, get hands-on help, and often receive exclusive in-store bonuses like free accessories or extended warranties not listed on their websites.
Are the bank cashback offers guaranteed?
The ₹5,000 instant cashback from Axis, ICICI, and HDFC Bank is applied at checkout and reflected in your statement within 3–5 days. It’s not a promo code—it’s a direct reduction. However, terms apply: minimum purchase of ₹25,000, one transaction per card, and only for new purchases—not exchanges. Always check the bank’s terms before buying.
What’s the advantage of buying during a 10-day sale window?
A longer sale reduces impulse buying and lets consumers compare prices across stores. Many shoppers wait until the final days to see if prices drop further. With Croma and Vijay Sales running through Cyber Monday, you’re not rushed. You can monitor deals, wait for stock to replenish, and still get the same discount—unlike Amazon’s 48-hour lightning sales.
Will these discounts return next year?
If this year’s sales performance holds, yes—and likely even stronger. Retailers are investing heavily in customer loyalty. Croma’s CEO recently said Black Friday is now their "most profitable quarter." Expect deeper discounts, more bank partnerships, and expanded product categories like smart home devices and electric appliances next year.
