Vendors in APMC market report a 40-50% drop in sales of Holi merchandise

It seems that Holi this year will be colourless for vendors as over the past few days sale of Holi merchandise has been very sluggish. Vendors at APMC market in sector 19A, Vashi say that since they got the stock 10-15 days back, business has been dull.

Sacks of colours and varieties of water guns (pichkaris) are hung outside the shops while the vendors wait longingly, wishing for customers who are not keen on bargaining!

"There has been 50% dip in sales as compared to last year. We get the stock of goods a fortnight before Holi and also sell atleast a lakh's worth of goods. But this year the business is very slow. The fact that there has been Rs10-15 increase in the prices has further prevented people from buying in bulk," said Ramji Karaniya, owner of Daily Mart adding that the godowns are filled with more stock.

He feels that since the festival falls on Sunday and Monday, people have made plans and gone off to their native places to celebrate.

Adding to the same, another vendor said, "A few of our regular customers also mentioned that they will be taking a three day leave and be off to have a celebration in their respective native places."

Raju Tiwari, who sits with his Holi merchandise at APMC market every year during the season said, "I got all the items three days back only. Quite an amount of colours would have already been sold off but whoever comes to buy only purchases a little. This year it seems that as people have been frustrated with rising prices of several other commodities, they want to keep the celebration to a minimum."

Manish Patel, another shop owner has lined up a variety of colours including liquid colours, non-toxic colours. He attributes the decline to increasing awareness about saving water rather than the negligible price rise. "Many are concerned about saving water and thus do not want to overdo it. As compared to previous years, there has been a 45% decline in sales. And I am doubtful how much we can sell in the next 2-3 days," said Patel.