In protest season, puja retail markets see shopper count upswing
Times of India | 8 September 2024
12 Kolkata: After a month-long slump in business due to protests and rallies over the R G Kar incident, buyers crowding the traditional shopping hubs have rekindled hopes of traders barely a month before Durga Puja. The hustle-bustle of shoppers was back in New Market, Gariahat and Burrabazar on Saturday.
The footfall in New Market picked up by the evening despite a big procession in the afternoon.“Honestly speaking, we had given up all hope after waiting for so long. On Saturday, however, we were in for a surprise as sales were good. This is a good sign for the coming weeks,” said Athar Iqbal, owner of a shop for ladies apparel on Madge Lane near Treasure Island.
But, traders were apprehensive that it was still a long haul to match up last year’s sales figures. “Sales in Aug dipped by 60%, compared to July. So, it will be immature to even draw comparisons with 2023. Next few days are going to be crucial,” said Ashok Gupta of SS Hogg Market Traders’ Association.
The business showed signs of recovery in the wholesale markets of saris and home furnishing items as well. “We have been getting a lot of customers from the suburbs and the districts, who purchase in bulk quantities for selling the same stock in their shops. According to these small vendors, people have started their puja purchase in local markets in the districts,” said Nandalal Modi, owner of a sari shop on Kalakar Street.
However, traders and vendors in Hatibagan — which is only a couple of kilometres from the epicentre of the protests, R G Kar and Shymabazar— said business continued to be dull. Prabhat Das, a member of Shyambazar Hatibagan Hawkers’ Association said, “Till last year the daily footfall of customers used to be nearly 10,000 around this time of the year. But, we are not even getting half of it this year due to the protests.” Another trader from Hatibagan, Pradip Kumar Roy, expressed similar views.
Priti Das, a resident of Belghoria, said, “Every year I come to Hatibagan but this time, the crowd is very thin. I tried to come here last Saturday but could not make it due to a protest. So, this week I have come. Earlier, it would be difficult to walk on the road because of the crowd. But, it’s different this time.”
In south Kolkata, the pace of business picked up in Gariahat over the past couple of days. “I am angry and hurt at whatever has happened to the young doctor and will not be celebrating puja like previous years, but I still need to do some shopping for my children and relatives,” said Bineeta Sengupta, a shopper from Behala Chowrasta.
“Gariahat is accessible as there are fewer protests in this pocket of the city,” the shopper added.