There was a time when malls in the port city used to burst at the seams as shoppers jostled to pick their favourite saris, dress material, and branded stuff.
This ‘Aashadam’, a month that is traditionally considered inauspicious, rather seems to be dull with the proliferation of e-commerce sites offering huge discounts coupled with the advantage of home delivery and hassle-free returns at the click of a button.
In addition, the die-hard shoppers who are used to the touch-and-feel concept of shopping experience prefer to wait for things to improve as oppressive heat and humid conditions continue to deter them from venturing out of their homes.
Eventually, retail outlets are registering fewer footfalls compared to last year.
“The e-commerce industry has an impact on retail business. However, we are considering viable options to evolve and stay ahead in the apparel segment, keeping pace with the changing trends and needs of the clients,” says Rajesh, one of the partners of Khyati.
While online shopping for clothes is fast catching up in the city, not every shopper looks forward to virtual platforms to place an order.
“Though virtual shopping offers convenience, it does not cater to every need for the simple reason that measurements keep varying from brand to brand. We can strike a deal by comparing the price of the product with a dozen websites, but finding the perfect fit continues to be a challenge for many,” says Madhu, an avid shopper.
This is where standalone stores gain an edge over online retailers.
“Most clients like to try out a range of products before actually investing. Those who do not have branded store in their place prefer online shopping. For instance, we do not have a standalone store in Vizianagaram and a lot of online orders register over there. However, people are more price-sensitive and look out for massive discounts that vary from online store to outlets for varied reasons,” explains A. Ganesh, manager of BIBA store.
Owing to the fall in the number of marriages and functions, tailors and entrepreneurs also witness a lean period and feel that it will definitely not be business as usual till next month.
