DASHAIN POPULARITY PARAMOUNT IN RETAIL REVIVAL

AS the festive season approaches, consumers have flocked to major shopping malls in the Kathmandu valley. Merchants said promotional discounts and offers have been effective in attracting shoppers thus far. Amid a slump in the retail sector due to uncertain economical times, an increase of trade in essentials, like footwear and apparel, has boosted sales in commercial complexes. Merchants at City Centre, Kamalpokhari: Civil Mall, Sundhara and KL Tower, Chuchchepati said they are witnessing an increase in the flow of customers. The City Centre Chief General Manager Rajesh Lamichhane said they were witnessing over 6,000 visitors daily. “The figure shows a notable growth in the number of visitors compared to the situation in the last few months,” said Lamichhane. According to him, a number of shops at the City Centre have been offering discounts of up to 50 percent on products. The City Centre operates over 40 shopping outlets. Lamichhane said many outlets have already started selling new products, targeting festivals. According to him, they will offer bumper prizes of motorbikes and four-wheelers to attract more customers during the festive period. KL Tower said that the shopping destination too was witnessing increasing foot traffic at present. “Slow business during the monsoon saw a downfall in businesses, but this has been relieved by the opening of the festival shops,” said Ganesh Dhungana, general manager at the KL Tower. According to him, many Dashain shoppers from out of the valley have now started purchasing products for the festival. A number of shops in the KL Tower are offering discounts of up to 30 percent, targeting Dashain shoppers. According to Dhungana, shops are considering further discounts to attract buyers. The KL Tower houses 70 shopping outlets, and while it presently accounts for an average of 3,000 customers daily, Dhungana anticipates the number will rise. “We have projected the number to reach 8,000-10,000 people per day until Dashain.” The Civil Mall is launching coupons, gift offers, and entertainment packages from Saturday. “Based on the increasing flow, we have estimated the footfalls to total 700,000 during Dashain and Tihar,” said Aamir Thakuri, marketing manager at the Civil Mall. The commercial complex houses over 100 shops related with apparels and footwear. Despite the rising number of customers, merchants expressed their doubts about gaining significant business due to the inflated price of imported outfits. “The rising price could adversely affect sales,” said Dhungana of the KL Tower. According to him, the market price has surged by around 20 percent.