The traders all over the area have arranged for various discounts and gift vouchers, all in an attempt to bring back the glory of traditional markets.
Once a popular shopping destination, the camp area of Pune suffered a setback when customers started to opt online shopping websites and malls instead of the traditional shops. To attract customers again, the Pune Camp Merchants Association (PCMA) have started a unique midnight market for three consecutive Saturdays starting December 12.
Over 400-500 shop owners have agreed to keep their shops open from 9 pm to midnight, a first-of-its-kind shopping bonanza for the festive season this year. "This initiative was thought by a fellow trader Murtuza Poonawala. We have been working on it since a month and expect customers to come in for this midnight market. We have also urged shop owners to give special discounts to customers during thus period, this would help to attract more number of customers" said Parag Shah, additional chairman (PCMA).
The traders all over the area have arranged for various discounts and gift vouchers, all in an attempt to bring back the glory of traditional markets. Entertainment for kids through gifts, free popcorn and eatables and cartoon characters walking through the street will make the midnight markets more like a night out for families. "The association has organised some entertainment on the streets to make it a fun shopping event for customers," Shah said. Horse rides, food stalls, loads of freebies and free parking are some other attractive offers arranged by the association.
Applauding the innovative way of bringing customers back to camp, Rajesh Hirdaramani, owner of Maharaja Fashions, a high-end store dealing with jewellery and clothes, said,"We hope for a good footfall in the next three Saturdays. This initiative can help revive traditional markets again. Considering the tough competition due to online markets and malls, we hope such initiatives will make a difference." He has put up discounts on purchase of more than Rs 5,000 and Rs 10,000 rupees and gift vouchers.
A regular at the Clover Center at MG road, Camp, Sally Fergus said, "I have always shopped for Christmas at MG road. Saturday midnight shopping sounds fun and I am planning to visit with my friends."
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