Eid sales plunge in south Kashmir

Pulwama, June 15: For the traders' community in south Kashmir, it is not business as usual ahead of Eid.

All four districts – Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam, and Shopian - have witnessed a significant slump in the sales of different items during the week leading up to Eid.

During this time, the markets would usually teem with people, who would flock to shops and other business outlets to purchase different goods.

However, the absence of significant bustle in the streets has taken the sheen off the markets.

President of Traders Federation Pulwama, Muhammad Altaf Kar told Greater Kashmir that the district witnessed around 50 to 55 percent dip in sales ahead of Eid.

He said that the Eid rush is missing from the markets.

According to Kar, garment stores, footwear shops, bakeries and other outlets are witnessing comparatively less number of customers.

“Business is down throughout the country,” Kar said.

Tariq Ahmad, a businessman from the area said that a significant percentage of people did not shop this Eid.

However, he said that over the last two days, sales of some items had picked up a bit.

In neighbouring Anantnag and Shopian districts, the shopkeepers complained of depressed sales.

President of All Traders and Manufacture Association, Anantnag, Abdul Rasheed, said that the town witnessed a 60 to 70 percent dip in sales.

He sees online shopping as a key reason for low sales.

Prominent social activist from Shopian, Mitha Gatoo said that the overall sales in the area had hit a rough patch.

He said that over 80 percent of people in the area rely on the apple industry for their livelihood.

“This year the apple farmers again suffered huge losses due to a glut,” he said.

Gatoo said that the apple prices in the outstation mandis nosedived over the last two months and thousands of cartons lying in various CA storages were being sold at giveaway prices, incurring huge losses to the growers and traders.

“It has significantly impacted the overall market,” Gatoo said.

From the neighbouring Kulgam district, the business community also complained about the low sales.