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| No big sale this Diwali | | | MUNISH GUPTA
JAMMU, Oct 26: Diwali is one such keenly awaited festival of the year where people go shopping in the big discount season. However, this Diwali, bogged down by recession, the major companies, particularly dealing in home appliances have disappointed the shoppers with no major schemes on offering.
Small gift shops are though making brisk sales but showroom owners across shopping plazas and business centers are sitting idle for most part of the day as the big brands, facing crunch, have decided not to offer any Diwali bonanza or lucrative offer to push sales of home appliances, electronic goods or home durables.
Generally, it is seen that big companies in the bazaar announce special offers and discounts to encash feel good factor during festive season in the market. Almost all the companies compete with each other and often trigger mad rush among customers to make a beeline outside their showrooms.
This year it is a different story. The recent wave of uncertainty in the market has led to lesser footfalls leading to decline in sales volume. A quick survey of various city markets in Jammu revealed that big city showrooms are still awaiting big rush outside their showrooms in the absence of any offer.
A leading businessmen in Raghunath bazaar area, owner of home appliances show room compared his sales volume with that of previous years figures said," sales volume pick in the weeks preceding Diwali but this year poor response from the companies have triggered gloom in the entire market spectrum.
He said customers are still awaiting disocunt offers and holding their purchase. He said it is evident most of the companies were awaiting share market to get stablised and show some northward forward movement before announcing any discount offers.
He attributed various other reasons for not announcing special offers.
"Liquidity in the stock market is a major issue with big companies and by announcing discount offers no one is ready to take a beating".
The prices of crackers and dry fruits too have gone up by 10 per cent as compared to the last year.Some of the new type of crackers this year are also costly. A big-sized “anar” which lasts for a long time cost up to Rs 200 for a single piece. For the big size “Phuljhadi” you may have to pay Rs 50 and a pack of four is available for Rs 200. Magical crackers which gives different color are available from Rs 150 to 1000 and more.
Vinod who has been putting up a stall for the past four years said, “I have a lesser stock of big crackers this year because of the hike in the prices. I have received a cold response from the buyers as compared to the last year. Now a simple big “anar” cost Rs 25 while it was available for Rs 20 last year”.
The prices have upset the budget of the middle class people. For many heads of families, high prices during festival season has meant additional burden.
Sanjiv Verma, a teacher said, “With the prices of crackers going up, I find it hard to fulfil the demand of my three teenaged children this Divali. Moreover, as is the custom I have to offer gifts and crackers to many relatives, including my three married sisters. Few years back I used to buy crackers for Rs 500 only and now one has to spend in thousands”.
Large rush of customers outside flower shops and famous bakery shops in a clear indication that customers who used to buy sweet packets and even dry fruits are shying away from offering these as diwali gifts to their friends and relatives. |
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