Diwali 2021: Markets witness heavy footfall, shopkeepers hope for better business this year
Diwali 2021: Markets across India witnessed heavy footfall on Sunday ahead of Diwali. While the busy markets brought hope for better business this year, the flouting of Covid-19 norms remained a matter of concern.
Images of crowded markets surfaced from the national capital's Karol Bagh, Sarojini Nagar, Sadar Bazar, and Lajpat Nagar among many. Chennai's T Nagar market and Indore's Rajwada market also witnessed a similar crowd. Mumbai's Crawford Market, Dadar, and Lalbaug were also bustling with shoppers.
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A shopkeeper in Delhi's Lajpat Nagar market said, "After 2 years, the market is witnessing such a footfall before Diwali 2021. We're hoping for good sales this year."
The jewellery stores in Gujarat, particularly in Surat saw a surge in the number of buyers as along with the festival, people are buying gold for the upcoming wedding season too.
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Deepak, a jewellery shop owner in Surat said, "Covid cases are low. Gold prices are low this time as compared to the last two years. People are buying gold as an investment, gifts for Diwali and weddings."
In Rajasthan, the earthen lamp sellers are hoping for good business this Diwali. "The sale of earthen lamps had gone down after Covid-19 hit the country. However, we're expecting good sales this year and want people to buy local products," said a seller.
While the businessmen were happy with the footfall after the two years of loss due to the pandemic, several businessmen and vendors said they are doing good business this year but it could never reach the scale of pre-coronavirus days.
"Sales not good so far, very few buyers showing up. Hoping for the business situation to improve like it was during Durga Puja. We still have time," shopkeeper Hussain at Assam's Guwahati said.
"We are following all the guidelines and only selling 'green crackers'. Customers' footfall is good, hoping this Diwali to be a profitable one," said Subhash Jain, a Guwahati shopkeeper added.
-PTC News
