Try GOLD - Free
Sea of people on streets, but sales see slump
The New Indian Express
|October 28, 2024
Customers upset over spike in price of festival items; cracker prices up by 5%-15% mainly due to drop in production

SHIMMERING fabrics, earthen lamps and an assortment of crackers have drawn in eager customers to streets in the city for Deepavali shopping. However, retailers are concerned over lagging sales with customers slamming the spike in price of festive items.
Despite being the last Sunday before Deepavali, Sowcarpet, one of the popular spots for shopping in the city, witnessed only a modest crowd until 2 pm, after which the footfall picked up gradually.
"Festive shopping has just started, and this will continue until Pongal," a shopper told TNIE. "Prices have gone up so much that we cannot afford to buy most items. We used to get two large bags of crackers for ₹7,500, but now even a single bag costs us around ₹6,000," she added.
Likewise, at NSC Bose Road, a cracker retailer explained that due to a drop in production of crackers, prices have increased by 5%-15%.
This story is from the October 28, 2024 edition of The New Indian Express.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The New Indian Express

The New Indian Express
DEEPER DIALOGUES FROM MARGINS
Five events held as part of Porombokkiyal 2025 shifted the spotlight on Unknown, unheard stories in the form of discussions and a play
2 mins
October 04, 2025
The New Indian Express
WAR PUSHES GAZA'S ENVIRONMENT TO FULL-SCALE COLLAPSE
TWO years of relentless conflict in the Gaza Strip have left an environmental disaster of unprecedented scale, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) warns in a new report released this week.
3 mins
October 04, 2025
The New Indian Express
HE WHO SPOKE TRUTH TO POWER
VETERAN journalist, writer and columnist, who was Director of Express Publications (Madurai) Private Limited and Editorial Advisor to The New Indian Express, Thayil Jacob Sony George-popularly known as TJS George or TJS passed away on Friday afternoon at a private hospital in Bengaluru.
2 mins
October 04, 2025

The New Indian Express
Group leading mass protests for reforms in Morocco seeks dismissal of government
THE group leading Morocco's mass protests called on Friday for the government's dismissal, following days of unrest that have seen the deaths of three people.
1 mins
October 04, 2025
The New Indian Express
'India is no longer seen as outsourcing destination'
INDIA is no more an 'outsourcing destination' for advanced countries, believes Lord Karan Bilimoria, the founding Chairman of the UKIndia Business Council (UKIBC).
1 mins
October 04, 2025

The New Indian Express
Hopes fade for end to U.S. shutdown as Don readies cuts
HOPES for a quick end to the government shutdown were fading Friday as Republicans and Democrats dug in for a prolonged fight and President Donald Trump readied plans to unleash layoffs and cuts across the federal government.
1 mins
October 04, 2025

The New Indian Express
No public gathering on highways till SOPs are framed, HC tells govt
Court rejects pleas for CBI probe into stampede, says investigation still at nascent stage
1 mins
October 04, 2025
The New Indian Express Chennai
Sacred Poromboke:
Irula Gatherers and Divine Rituals
1 mins
October 04, 2025

The New Indian Express Chennai
Natural Vs Conventional: Study finds new social structure in farming practices
NATURAL farming is class and caste specific, with no substantial benefits in terms of monetary gain or dietary diversity compared to conventional farming.
2 mins
October 04, 2025

The New Indian Express
Got only copper panels from Sabarimala: Firm
THE controversy over the gold-plated panels of Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple is getting murkier, putting the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on the defensive.
1 min
October 04, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size