SHILLONG: Inflation and the growing popularity of online shopping have hit the bottom line of shops in the city which are recording low sales even in the festive season.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Harish Mordani, owner of Uncle’s Shop in Police Bazar, said the sales are awfully low this year because many buyers are opting for e-tailers, which are offering hefty discounts. “It is not like the old days in Shillong when people used to come out with their families for bulk shopping before the puja,” he said.
A section of the shoppers in local markets also feel that spiralling prices of commodities, including apparels, are also pinching buyers’ pockets.
Besides, many shopkeepers feel that the coal ban has affected the economy of the State that in turn has affected the common man.
Kavesh, owner of Glamour showroom in Police Bazar, said sales this year are not as expected but have risen marginally in the last few days. “Economy is weak and that has its effect on puja shopping. Also, online shopping has resulted in lesser purchase of goods from shops,” he added.
Even tourist footfall in the State during the puja is low. The manager of a hotel in Police Bazar was surprised to see that a few tourists have come to Shillong at this time of the year as compared to the previous years when the city would remain chock-a-block with tourists even before Durga Puja.
