India, Nov. 11 -- Weak consumer demand and rising prices weighed heavily on the offline smartphone market in the recently-concluded Diwali festive season.

According to industry body All India Mobile Retailers Association (AIMRA), mobile phone retailers saw sales volumes decline by 18-20% over the four-day period between Dhanteras (November 6) and the day after Diwali (November 9).

However, overall sales value remained broadly in line with last year's festive season on the back of higher average selling prices.

Nevertheless, AIMRA noted that the "steeper contraction" in volumes squeezed margins and store profitability across mainline retail channels.

The industry body also said that offline smartphone sales volumes in the seven days pr...