Thursday 28 Mar 2024

Christmas: A business 'lifeline' of Salcete!

| DECEMBER 21, 2015, 12:00 AM IST

Photo Credits: Christmas ---- business Lifeline of Salcete !

Perceived by traders in Margao as the 'lifeline' of business and a barometer of future business trends, traders here are basking in the 'feel good' factor as Christmas ushers in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'achhe din' in this part of the State. analysis the business trends of two sectors --- 'roti' (eatable) and 'kapda' (cloth)

ne of the constants in the rapidly evolving field of business, prone to shedding skin rapidly, is the festive season of Christmas, especially in Margao's heartland of Salcete. This festival has spurred a whole lot of business activity on the one hand. While at the other end of the spectrum, it has also boosted the adrenalin of traditional, entrenched businessmen, all of whom look at the X'Mas business pie with eager interest.

By and large, the Margao trade revolves around the basic essentials --- 'roti' and 'kapda' --- broadly classified as eatables and cloth --- frequented by the X'Mas revellers of Salcete. Ecstatic cloth merchants, especially in the hub of 'Ropa Aal' (the cloth alley) in Margao, reveal how Christmas is the 'lifeline' of their business.

Trade sources peg rough estimates of cloth merchants in Margao in excess of 100, excluding the ready made garment shops.

“Christmas season is the barometer of our business. A successful business this season ushers in a 'feel good' atmosphere for the remaining months of the year,” adds Sai Panandikar (aka 'Ponytail'), a cloth merchant at Margao's cloth alley.

Over the years, what has changed is the period of purchases, given the drastic changes in fashion in the universe. “In the past era, domestic tailors (mistrys) were entrusted with the task of stitching women's Christmas wardrobes. This has now undergone a sea change, with designer studios replacing the traditional tailor. Thus, the purchases period commences early, picking up from October,” Panandikar informs.

What has remained unchanged, so far, is the verve of purchasing the dress material from Goa, despite the advent of wardrobe and cloth material from Gujarat and Mumbai. This, cloth merchants say, is essentially due to Goan tastes, more inclined towards festive/bright/vibrant colours. Add to that, ready made garments 'one-size-fits-all' concept, which finds no takers in Salcete.

“Made-to-order (stitched) garments, are, therefore, the order of the day,” add cloth trade sources.

As the fashion industry in the Mecca of world's fashion capital --- Paris (France) --- undergoes drastic changes at periodic intervals, the trickle-down effect to Goa occurs almost instantly, via internet, giving Goans the much needed exposure to Western attire/fashion. “The days of the Western fashion trends as reflected by Hollywood and later emulated by Bollywood, down to the common man are past their sell-by date,” say cloth trade sources.

Interestingly, despite the rapid rise in cloth merchants in Margao, the loyalty of the Salcete clientele has also remained static. For instance, the clientele identifies its tastes with a particular shop and frequents it, no matter what. Conversely, having been acclimatised of its clienteles' tastes, the cloth merchant makes sure to equip his shop with the requisite stock. The net result: the cloth merchant succeeds in safeguarding his turf vis-a-vis his clientele, preventing cannibalisation by his trade rivals.

But, even as the cloth trade is witnessing 'Achhe Din', the mood remains somewhat sombre/dampened in the new market --- the hub of retail traders of eatables and other assorted paraphernalia. As of now, the business here remains steady, and is expected to gain momentum in the days ahead. Be that as it may, Chinese items have also made their presence felt in the market. This has induced a change in buying preferences and the variety of goods purchased. Compounding matters further for the traditional businessmen (traders) in new market, is the rampant proliferation of itinerant traders viz. Hawkers. “These fly-by-night operators set shop after sunset on roadside, particularly, at the MMC square and on footpaths, and pose a challenge, if not a direct threat to the traditional businessmen in the market,” complains Vinod Shirodkar, president, Madgao New Market Traders Association, which has 564 traders as its members.

To beat this competitive heat, the traders have resorted to cut short their stock-in-trade, maintaining limited saleable stock, thereby limiting their sales and resultant profits. “We do not suffer any losses and but the quantum of profit has certainly decreased proportionately. But, we happily manage to make both ends meet,” says Shirodkar.

In the new market, clients restrict their choice to decorative items, stars and eatables like 'Dodol'. The quantum of purchase, though, has decreased, as compared to the years gone by, inform traders. “Although people spend less, we are happy that we do not incur a loss. Business still remains profitable,” he adds.

By and large, the Christmas revellers visit the market for purchases from December. However, business picks up only eight days prior to Christmas, particularly the last minute purchases for celebrating the festival. That period will take off from Monday, December 21in the run up to the D-Day, Christmas, on December 25!

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