NEW DELHI: Business activity in retail markets continued to be low on the second day of the current phase of unlocking, but traders’ associations were hopeful that consumer confidence would start building up in a few days.
As of now, most of the transactions are taking place in wholesale markets where small retailers are restocking their outlets.
The Confederation of All India Traders estimates that less than 10% of normal trade has resumed.
However, some market associations point out that trade in June has always remained low and concentrated during late evenings.
Some traders’ associations have demanded that curfew timings be modified to give additional shopping time in the evening, while others argue for a staggered timing system instead of imposing an odd-even opening of outlets.
Ashok Randhawa, member of Sarojini Nagar market association, said people were probably reluctant to come out due to the high temperatures through the day.
“One one hand, people are still fearful of Covid and black fungus and, on the other, the sweltering heat makes it impossible for them to shop in the afternoon.
Instead of opening the markets from 10am to 8pm, we can go for 11am-9pm timings so that people can shop and get back in time,” he added.
Praveen Khandelwal, who heads the Confederation of All India Traders, said wholesale trade was seeing more activity as smaller shop owners were restocking their outlets.
Retail business, however, remained negligible, he said.
“Less than 10% business has resumed in Delhi.
After consultations with several hundred market associations, we had proposed a staggered time-based opening of retail and wholesale markets.
Customers do not know which shops will be open or closed and comprehensive buying of multiple items is not possible,” he said.
Rajender Sharda, who heads GK-I M Block market association, said the number of customers still remained low.
“Historically, the trade volume remains low in Delhi during June due to the heat.
It will take some more days for consumer confidence to return,” he said.
Traders in Walled City were more positive.
Sanjay Bhargava from Chandni Chowk Sarv Vyapar Mandal said: “We have seen good footfall since yesterday, unlike the unlocking exercise previous year when the streets were deserted.
The economy will bounce back if we take proper precautions and the customers feel safe.
This is usually a lean season anyway,” he added.
Teams of 3-4 police officers each have been deployed in the area to ensure Covid-appropriate behaviour.
However, social-distancing norms again went for a toss and mask compliance was very low in wholesale markets like east Delhi’s Gandhi Nagar and Sadar Bazar in Walled City.