Is the practice of gifting sweet boxes on account of Diwali on the decline? Given the plummeting orders for sweet boxes by corporate companies, it appears so. The trend of presenting sweet boxes and greeting friends and dear ones appears to be fading out this festive season.
Many sweet shop owners in the city say that orders from corporate companies have reduced considerably compared to last year. However, others point out that the craze for sweets picked up a bit late this season.
“Every year corporate companies place their orders soon after Dasara, but this year the demand picked much later,” says Sumit Agarwal of Agrawala Sweets at Abids. From financial constraints to gifting other novelties there can be many reasons for the decline in orders by companies, he adds.
However, shop owners say orders by individuals and small businessmen were encouraging. “Regular customers continue to pour in at the shops, but overall sales dropped with very less corporate orders,” says Ritesh of Sri Satyanarayana Mithai Bhandar at Siddiamber Bazaar.
Sweet shop owners in old city are, however, facing a worse situation and many are staring at losses. The recent disturbances in this part of the city had also cast an impact on the sales.
“The markets are being shut down early for the last few days. Most traders have not done decent business this season and have not placed any big orders,” says Rajesh of Agra Mithai at Charkaman.
Anticipating good business, many shop owners had hired few additional workers. But things took a different turn as there are not many orders. “Ever since the tension commenced in old city, it appears people are happy staying home. There is not much of buzz and so are the sales,” laments Mr. Rajesh.
