AGARTALA, April 15 (TIWN): The last day of Chaitra Sale was on Tuesday. Owners of different shops and malls will have to wait for another consecutive year. But despite that they are busy in making the utmost profit in this busy sale season

On the other hand this year Chaitra sale witness record footfall. For the first time, large number of customers was witnessed in the Shakuntala market area. As the Government had not given permission to arrange Chaitra sale at Children’s Park, therefore the huge crowd is witnessed in hawker’s corner, and other major places. The sellers are exhibiting their materials at the premises of the road side area also.

Our profit margins have suffered as compared to last year. But, the sale percentage has increased this year” says Ramu Deb, garment sellers at the Hawker’s market.  The number of customers has increased as compared to last year.

“Small shopkeepers like us would have to depend on wholesalers and owing to the higher cost we are unable to sustain discounts this season”, added Deb.

While, the business is not touch to the expectation for small traders, big shops seem to be happy. “Since the marriage season will start, we are seeing good sales. Mostly people target the Chaitra Sale as they can buy in bulk for weddings at a discounted rate”, informed a textile owner. The ‘Chatira’ discount in this shop on sarees varies from 15 per cent to 20 per cent. “We witness the maximum customer footfall around this time though it peaks before the Puja”, he quipped. However, shoemakers like Bata, Khadims also have joined the league of ‘Chaitra Sale’ to offers discount on shoes from 20 per cent up to 50 percent.

Chaitra sale is the most availed and awaited discount sale in Kolkata markets and malls. Traditionally, as Bengali New Year starts in Baisakh (this falls in mid-April) Chaitra is the last month of Bengali calendar. Bengalis celebrates New Year or Poila Baisakh with a lots happy celebration and new clothes is one of the top priorities.
So shops and markets in Agartala also cash in on with this shopping spree during the month of March and the first two weeks of April. Interestingly unlike malls Kolkata clothes are not too keen on attracting customers by offering discounts. Markets and stores wait for this time of the year by offering a 10% discount as Chaitra sale. This is kind of year end clearance sale for local shop owners.