Hope springs eternal for home-grown business

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 30

Festive exhibitions are back, hoping to bring some Diwali cheer back for shoppers as well as local brands alike.

Last year, damp Diwali due to the pandemic and economical distress caused due to the lockdown has already hit small businesses. But with festivities returning this year, home-grown businesses, especially offering niche services and products can hope for revival.

Exhibitions offer safer shopping experience for those who want to spend on Diwali keeping away from over-crowded markets. Also, since most exhibitions feature local businesses, it is also a good platform to give a push to the local economy. Krishna Khanna, a local apparel designer

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Exhibitions that were regular during the festive season are now pulling back shoppers with one-stop shopping experience after a long hiatus. Multiple festive exhibitions featuring garments, jewellery, home décor and gift items are attracting a lot of customers. “Exhibitions offer safer shopping experience for those who want to spend on Diwali keeping away from over-crowded markets. Also, since most exhibitions feature small, niche local businesses, it is also a good platform to give a push to local economy,” said Krishna Khanna, a local apparel designer.

“We had organised an online exhibition last year, but the response was not so good. On-ground events generate more sales than online ones ahead of the festive season,” she said. She is currently exhibiting her line of festive wear at a Diwali exhibition.

Keeping in mind the post-pandemic cautious shopper, even local businesses are game for small-scale, exclusive exhibits. “Private exhibits organised at smaller scales are doing good business wise as it allows customers health safety. With rise in fresh, hand-crafted, customised festive goodies, a two-day or single day exhibit provides for an oppurtunity for 100 per cent sale. Also, it saves the organiser the overhead expenses,” shares Arundeep Singh, a city-based baker and owner of Cakelicious, who has put up two-day festive sale of Diwali goodies at his residence.

He said it’s a win-win situation for shoppers who want quick, safe shopping experience as well as exhibitors who save on rent and elaborate preparations.