Last-minute Diwali shopping lifts spirits in Bhubaneswar

BHUBANESWAR: With a drop in Covid-19 infections and most restrictions removed, markets are witnessing heavy rush as shoppers finish their last-minute shopping for the festive season. However, violation of Covid-19 guidelines remains a concern in the city markets as people throng the shopping joints in large numbers.
“After a gap of two years, the usual Diwali rush is back in the markets. We are hoping for a good business like that of the pre-Covid period,” said Santosh Parida, a shopkeeper at the Unit-1 market here.
Major markets in the city, including Unit-1, Market Building, Imdradhanu Market, Ruchika Market, Saheed Nagar, Bapuji Nagar, Unit-IV, Damana, Rasulgarh, Baramunda, Palasuni, Dumuduma and Patia, were choc-a-bloc with shoppers. All the festive items, starting from food items to vegetables, dry fruits, earthen lamps, lights, sweets, gift items and home decors, were sold as hotcakes.
“Initially, we thought that there will be a shortage of dry fruits due to the Afghan crisis, but we took extra efforts to make dry fruits available for Diwali. Gifting dry fruits on Diwali is a trend now. People are buying snacks and sweets as well,” said Bibhuti Bhushan Patra, a city-based grocer.
The sales of electrical appliances have also gone up significantly during this festive season. “After indulging in online shopping for the past two years, people are now enjoying visiting shops and buying furniture and home decor. We are getting very good response from customers. We expect the markets to be on a par with the pre-Covid times,” said Suprakash Mishra, a furniture shop owner, in the Unit-IV area.
Shopping malls in the city also witnessed increased footfall of customers and rising sales. Huge rush was witnessed in garment shops. “People are buying clothes and fashion accessories. Shopping malls were the worst hit in the past two years. Now things are getting better with each day. Considering the festive rush, shops are offering discounts and gifts for customers,” said Nikhil Sahu, manager at a garment shop at a city mall.

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