Festive discounts, a sorry affair for vendors

With multiple long weekends and festivals coming our way it’s raining discounts for customers at supermarkets and e-stores. However, these offers have put a dent on the sale figures of small vendors across the city.

In particular, rakhi vendors in Secunderabad lament that they did not make good sales in comparison to last year. They claim that the customers are not purchasing from small vendors and opting for supermarkets or sweet stores that offer package deals with discounts.

“My sales haven’t improved this year because the market has been dull for petty vendors like us. Customers want to buy rakhisonly from the main markets, where they double the price and offer 50 per cent discount,” wailed a shopkeeper in Banjara Hills.

The situation extends to gifts as well; e-commerce websites are not behind in offering exclusive discounts on their goods. Many people prefer to surf through the numerous options online and purchase items of their choice for much cheaper prices, and all this from the comfort of their homes. Consequently, this has shown an adverse effect on the business of small vendors.

S Sahitya, 22-year-old student felt, “The prices of gifts are quite high compared to last year. But luckily a few shops and outlets are offering discounts and this way we can purchase at the last minute. It feels like vendors are trying to mint money by selling at double rates.”

“Earlier I used to buy rakhisfrom the Old City but for a couple of years now I’m ordering them online because some of the deals they offer are amazing and I can find everything I need at one place. Moreover, some of the websites deliver it aboard as well, where most of my cousins reside,” added Rishika, an employee at Reuters.

By Tera Sneha Reddy