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As Bengaluru’s air gets cooler, the city’s busy shopping streets are abuzz with excitement for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Even as one road connecting Commercial Street has been dug up by the BWSSB to lay sanitary pipes, it has not had much impact on business according to traders. “Commercial Street is bustling as always. The civic work has not caused much inconvenience as there are other parallel roads,” said Sanjay Motwani, Bengaluru Commercial Association.
He noted that this year, there is a unique trend of people shopping for office Christmas parties. “We have seen a lot of women coming to pick up dresses for office Christmas parties. With employees of most companies playing secret Santa now, we have also seen an increase in gift shopping for co-workers,” he added.
Shoppers at Commercial Street said the street was perfect for Christmas shopping as it has a variety of businesses. “I buy different gifts depending on the recepient. For families, it’s usually cakes and wine. But for friends, I love picking personal items like Christmas cards and small decorations — mistletoes, cribs, little Santas,” said Amitha Regi George, a college student.
In Chickpet and the markets surrounding it, business is expected to pick up over the weekend. “Business is yet to gain momentum. We know that the weekend is going to be busy as 70% of our overall business takes place during the weekend before Christmas,” said Sajjan Raj Mehta, a trader and activist.
Apart from wines and cakes, handmade candles, eco-friendly gifts, perfumes, artificial lighting and home decor are popular among Bengaluru’s shoppers. Some of them have also started preferring handmade gifts from small businesses or handicraft items over mass produced gifts.
Nishant Gupta, a 23-year-old business analyst from Malleswaram, said that buying from local businesses is a way to support local artisans. “Small businesses offer personalised gifts. They listen to what you want and make something special. Plus, you are helping someone’s livelihood. That’s the real spirit of Christmas,” he said.
Published – December 21, 2024 07:02 am IST
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