All roads lead to Fancy Bazar even as tycoons say otherwise

By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Oct 4: The general opinion among buyers and sellers in the run-up to the Durga Puja in Guwahati is – all roads lead to Fancy Bazar. However, some top businessmen tycoons of Fancy Bazar contradict this general view as they feel that the mushroom growth of shopping malls in the city and online shopping have a cascading effect in their business.

Fancy Bazar looks like a Kumbh Mela as people of all walks of life get there something suiting their budgets, a fact which is unlikely in the shopping malls in the city. Both big businessmen and small ones are seen to do a brisk business in Fancy Bazar these days.

The rush of people is also seen in shopping malls that have grown like mushrooms in the city in the recent past. Even street vendors are doing a roaring business in the city, as though Goddess Durga has something to offer to each and everyone.

However, contradicting this general view, noted businessman Ram rayan Goenka said: “The rush of buyers in Fancy Bazar in the run-up to the Durga Puja isn’t as it was earlier. One of the reasons behind this is that special buying for festivals is losing its sheen. Nowadays people buy goods and dresses almost round the year. In fact, festivity is also losing its sheen.”

The veteran businessman further said: “The mushroom growth of shopping malls in the city also has its cascading effect in the business at Fancy Bazar. A person residing at Uzan Bazar is unlikely to come to Fancy Bazar to buy some garments as he/she gets the garments in his/her doorstep. Transportation cost and time factor make a difference.”

Pointing out a few burning problems plaguing the business in Fancy Bazar, Goenka said: “The problem of parking of vehicles is one of the serious problems in Fancy Bazar.  As though to make the situation worse, the traffic magement in Fancy Bazar is pathetic. The traffic magers have failed to cope up with the increase in rush of people in Guwahati. All these negative points do affect the business in Fancy Bazar.”

On buyers’ choice in this festive season, Goenka said: “Ready-made garments are on demand. This is because when one goes to stitch a dress the cost becomes more than that of ready-made ones. This apart, jean pants and shirts are more on demand for men, and the women are behind Berasi Sari, Tant Sari of Kolkata, jori sari etc. The pat sari (jute sari) from Sualkuchi has a special demand, especially from buyers from outside the State.”

Speaking almost in the same vein, Kids Home owner Pranita Goswami said: “Response from buyers is poor this year. Online shopping and shopping malls have badly affected our business. Parking problems and traffic srls have also added to the situation.”

Goswami said: “Among children’s garments new designs like Plazo, Captop, leggings tops, skirt tops and dangri are available. For boys there are pants and shirts from Ludhia. Most of the girls’ garments are from Mumbai and Kolkata.”