City shopkeepers are witnessing a 25 to 40 per cent fall in sales this festive season, courtesy online shopping.
Rush of people in the markets is relatively less, unlike previous years. People visiting markets are mostly buying items from vendors and kiosks while showrooms are seeing less footfall.
“There is 25-30 per cent decline in the sales of electronic items. There is 28 per cent GST on electronic items, so it too seems to have hit their sale. People do not seem to be interested in buying electronics,” said Vijesh Sachdeva, who runs Sachdeva Electronics in Sector 22.
Bedi, who runs a textile shop in Sector 19 here besides Delhi and Mumbai, added that the situation was no different in other parts of the country.
Vinod Talwar, president of the Jewellers’ Association of Chandigarh, said, “Sales are poor because there is no liquidity. The craze for jewellery among people is not visible this year. The sales are about 50 per cent lesser than what it was during the last two years.”
Residents said they were not enthused about going for big purchases this festive season. Many were attracted towards online shopping.
Baljinder Singh Bittu, chairman of FOSWAC, said, “There is no money in the market. Earlier, markets used to see rush for at least a month around Diwali. It has now come down to four to five days near Diwali and Dhanteras.”
Digital payment up
Digital payment has grown like never before in the city markets. “About 50 per cent of sales are made through credit/debit cards in stores these days. People are getting 10 to 15 per cent cashback on it. Also, it is safe and transparent for shopkeepers,” said Charanjiv Singh, chairman, Chandigarh Beopar Mandal.
