- विज्ञापन -
Despite a rise in foot traffic at shopping malls and discount stores during the festive season, retailers in Chennai are reporting a drop in sales volume across various outlets.
R. Janakiraman, who owns a cracker shop in Anna Nagar (East), Chennai, shared with IANS that the factory prices of popular crackers such as ‘Kuruvi,’ ‘Chain crackers,’ and ‘Knockout’ have surged significantly. When his profit margin is added, the final prices have risen dramatically, which he believes could be discouraging customers.
Janakiraman noted that his sales volume, which reached Rs 4 to 5 lakh during this festive period in 2023, has now fallen to around Rs 3 to 4 lakh. Daily sales have decreased by approximately Rs 1 lakh, attributed to a 15 percent price increase from the previous year. He pointed to a decrease in firecracker production as the cause of this price hike.
Karthiyani, a school teacher aged 54 from Purasawalkam, Chennai, remarked that prices for essential Deepavali items such as crackers, diyas, sweets, gold, and clothing have risen by 15 to 20 percent since 2023. She highlighted that the cost of gold has escalated by at least Rs 2,000 per gram, and diyas have become over 25 percent more expensive than last year. “Last year, I purchased a bag of crackers for Rs 5,000; this year, I found I could only buy about three-quarters of that quantity for the same price,” she explained. Furthermore, she observed that the price of cashew sweets in Sowcarpet has increased from Rs 600 per kg in 2023 to Rs 800 this year.
Many shopkeepers have noted that online sales are also affecting brick-and-mortar retail sales, despite a significant turnout on the last weekend before Deepavali. Suchitra Nair, a homemaker, recounted her shopping experience: “The increase in prices for all essential Deepavali items has caused me to cut back on what I buy to manage my expenses.”
Some retailers are hopeful that sales may rebound today and tomorrow, as individuals traveling from Chennai to their hometowns might make last-minute purchases, potentially boosting overall sales. Representatives from the Ramanathapuram Street Merchants’ Association have also noticed a decline in sales in recent days. Even on Sunday, their business volume was lower than the previous year, but they remain optimistic for an increase in sales in the upcoming days.
