By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: With less than three weeks for Durga Puja celebrations, the city’s main commercial hub, Police Bazaar is experiencing a rise in shoppers. The festival will be celebrated from October 3-6 and is traditionally preceded by huge marketing of clothing, footwear by customers as shops experience a rise in their sales which is also considered to be an important time in their business.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, a customer said that Durga Puja and marketing of clothes and footwear is corelated. “This is a time of the year when children expect to wear something new,” said a mother of two children. Parents opined that children are very smart as they prepare themselves well in advance what to demand from them when they go for shopping.
Though, Jeans, T-shirts, Canvas, trendy spectacles are some of the common things that children demands some want complete suiting, with matching shoes etc. Besides these wears, there are demands for trendy saris, salwar kameez etc. by girl children opined parents.
A government employee said that wives are no way behind when it comes to buying new wears as they can be equally demanding like children. “My wife has demanded a Banarasi silk sari. Though she has been demanding it for the last couple of years, I felt it is time to provide her one this puja,” he said . Agrees a newly wed couple who said that big brand saris, designer kurta pyjamas and other suits is for occasions such as Durga Puja, marriages and social gatherings.
There are also some couples who visit Kolkata prior to the Durga Puja celebrations.
“For the last many years we are doing our Durga Puja shopping from Kolkata since variety and value for money is guaranteed there,” said a couple.
Another such family said that be it men’s, kid’s or women’s wear Kolkata quenches everybody’s choice well as it has various markets that suits the wallet of all types of customers.
Meanwhile, shop owners from the city said that they are experiencing an upward trend in their sales which will continue till the New Year. “This is the only season, when we can expect some customers till the remaining period of the year,” said a shopkeeper from Glory’s Plaza.
Another shopkeeper said that the festival season plays a crucial role for all shopkeepers.