The Goan spoke to some women about Goa being a desirable shopping destination. Here's what some of them had to say
Yes, Goa isquite a good shopping destination. One gets many things cheap here compared toplaces like Hyderabad, Pune or Bangalore. With regard to Western outfits suchas formal skirts and blouses, one can find more choice in Goa. Also, outfitsthat one needs specifically for Goan functions are not found elsewhere.
Vanisha Sawant,software engineer, Pune
No, Goa has lotsto improve in terms of shopping. I do not think it has reached its potential.It lacks in malls and street shopping compared to metros like Mumbai. Besides afew chains like Mustafa, we do not have many places to go to. If I want to picka really good pair of shoes, I would shop in Mumbai. Goa doesn’t offer anychoice. In Goa, we only have Westside. We do not have options such as Globus, Shopper’sStop etc, which cater to various ranges. Also, the only outfit sizes availablein Goa are constrained to S, M, L, XL. People who need larger sizes do not havemuch choice, basically telling them not to shop.
BernadineMascarenhas, Marketing Executive, Verna
For shopping, wehave the metros. I would not agree that Goa is a good shopping destination. Thebeachside stalls offer a variety of clothing. I wouldn't vouch for the qualitythough. And these beachside stalls do not compare to the wide choice found onthe streets of Mumbai. As a commercial shopping destination, Goa definitelydoes not fit the bill.
WerleneFernandes, student
No, Goa is notspecial as a shopping destination. Clothes and other products found here havenothing ‘wow’ about them. With regard to designer wear, Goa has some designerstores such as that of Wendell Rodrigues and Monty Sally. However, the numberof branded stores is limited. We do not have Gap, American Eagle, Mango,Splash, etc.
Vanessa Pereira,student
No, Goa is not agood shopping destination. For shopping, one must visit Mumbai, Singapore,Dubai and Thailand. These places sell everything a shopper could want. Thequality of clothes found in Goa does not match the price. Goa is good forholidays, sightseeing, beaches, and having a fun time. But shopping, no.
Michelle Souza,homemaker
Not at all. Shopkeepersin Goa are sussegad and reluctant to show what they have. Their attitude islike ‘this is what we offer, if you want, you buy. Else you can go. Not likePune or Mumbai where the shopkeepers attend to you in a better way.
Rama Borkar, Housewife
During the touristseason, places like Saturday night market and the flea market offer some reallygood deals. Apart from that, even the mall seems to have good branded stuff. Although,the concept of street markets is not known to Goa, the night market makes upfor it.
Aditi Kulkarni, Student
Well, depends on whatyou want to buy. For clothes, I think Goa is not the place to shop. Places likeBelgaum offer better variety and better deals. Goan shops don’t have variety tooffer.
Arti Puranik, Housewife
Withthe rains pouring down like crazy and online shopping portals having fabulousdeals and discounts, I prefer to shop online. But Goa has its own charm forshopping. But I think things can improve. It would be nice to see more mallscome here. Mall culture is yet to hit the Goan shores.
RashmiBharbhari, Translator
Goa is a good shopping destination if oneis looking for one of a kind stuff - the kind that is being sold at the nightmarket and the smaller boutiques. Otherwise, as a general shopping area there'sbarely much choice. You get good and inexpensive dresses on the streets ofColaba. I wish something like that could happen in Goa.
Elizabeth Thomas, Assistant Film Director
