Deepavali Shopping Frenzy: Textile stores roll out new stock and festive discounts!

Mangaluru/Udupi: The tradition of buying new clothes for festivals has been a cultural norm for generations, transcending socio-economic barriers. While people from all backgrounds follow this custom, they choose varied textile stores. Consequently, the textile industry, one of the most traditional industries, has consistently seen high demand.

With the festive season already underway, businesses are witnessing a surge in activity. Many shop owners are optimistic that textile sales will exceed last year’s figures. According to Dinesh, owner of the prominent M.P. Silks in Mangaluru, customers are attracted by the store’s variety and pricing. “This year, with both Dasara and Deepavali falling in the same month, some shoppers have already made purchases for Dasara. However, the Deepavali shopping trend is yet to fully kick in. Special discount sales have been arranged for customers,” he shared.

Traditional clothing items such as sarees, kurtas, dhotis, shirts, and children’s apparel are in high demand for Deepavali. Many families purchase outfits for their loved ones during this season. Some prefer branded garments, and new stock has arrived in stores, anticipating customer turnout, as confirmed by the proprietor of Saurashtra Stores, a well-known local outlet.

Attractive Offers and Discounts

New stock has already hit the shelves, and the shopping season is in full swing with the launch of Deepavali offers. Some stores have extended Navaratri promotions through Deepavali. With “Buy One, Get One Free” offers and discounts ranging from 25% to 30% on branded apparel, retailers are pulling out all the stops to attract customers. Certain stores have even issued statements claiming the lowest prices available.

Minimal Shift to Online Shopping

Only about 10-15% of shoppers prefer online platforms, according to local shopkeepers. “Clothes are items that people like to touch and feel before buying. Many feel the peace of mind is higher when purchasing items like clothing and jewelry in-store. Young adults make up the majority of online shoppers,” they noted.

Looking ahead, retailers are expecting brisk sales throughout the upcoming festival season, which includes Christmas, New Year, Sankranti, and the wedding season.

Traditional Clothing Gaining Popularity

Deepavali is celebrated traditionally in most households, and many people opt for festive attire to mark the occasion. Women and young girls are drawn to purchasing sarees, langa davanis, and chudidars, while men favor traditional wear like dhotis with shawls, kurtas, and pajamas. Children also express a keen interest in new, festive designs, said the owner of a private textile store.

“The festival shopping season has already started, and we’ve received an excellent response from customers. We have announced a lucky coupon offer for our customers. All varieties of clothing needed for the festival are available in our store, including separate sections for men, women, and children,” stated Virendra Hegde, a partner at Jayalakshmi Silks in Udupi.

He added, “Customers find greater satisfaction in buying apparel in-store as they can physically examine the fabric quality and see if it meets their requirements, an experience online shopping cannot provide.”

Similarly, Devanand Shenoy, owner of Vedas Textiles in Udupi, echoed this sentiment, stating, “The festival shopping frenzy has just begun.”

Santosh Wagle, a partner at Geetanjali Textiles, remarked, “Deepavali shopping is in full swing, and customer response has been overwhelming. We have made necessary arrangements to offer a wide variety of apparel to suit their preferences.”