Rush at Chaitra Sale hubs on last Sun before Poila Baisakh
Times of India | 14 April 2025
12 Kolkata: A buying spree gripped the city on the last Sunday before Poila Boisakh. Kolkata's markets — from Hatibagan in the north to Gariahat in the south — were flooded with shoppers, who kept streaming in throughout the day.
In Gariahat, shops were decked up and stacked with new stock. The crowd moved from garment shops to those selling bags, household items, and decorative pieces. Shopping malls also witnessed huge footfall. "The shopping spree starts as the Chaitra Sale begins. Some of the shopping malls have termed this ‘end of season sale'. But the lure remains the same," said Nilanjana Mitra, a resident of Beleghata.
The shops along Rashbehari Avenue, Hindustan Road, Old Ballygunge Road, and Raja Basanta Roy Road glittered with lights. "This is one of the biggest festive buying times for the people. Although shopping is now spread across the year, each Bengali family buys something new for Poila Baisakh," said Sonu Singh, a garment seller at Gariahat.
For Sarathi Das Basu, a garment seller near Basanti Devi College, the crowd from distant suburban areas has decreased over the years. "We used to have thick crowds from the small towns in the suburban areas even a decade ago. But most of these areas have small shopping malls now, which cater to the locals' needs. That crowd is not here any more. However, you can always find the Gariahat area crowded with buyers," Das Basu said.
Online sales and quick commerce have, however, taken away a large amount of business from both small retailers and large shops. "Large, organised retailers have adapted to online channels and promotions. But that is not possible for small traders. The quick delivery services have already disrupted traditional retail. Online shopping and quick delivery services have also started offering sale or discounted items," said Babun Chakraborty, a garment trader at Hatibagan.
According to Babul Majumdar, another garment trader at Hatibagan, sales picked up since pre-Eid days, and buyers had a prolonged period of shopping. "The demand is always high during Durga Puja, Eid, or Poila Baisakh. But the buyers are more conscious now, and they know the shops or areas which offer better prices. Therefore, shopping across the city is well spread out across the localities," Majumdar said.