Ajay Joshi
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, May 24
After no business for almost two months, local garment shop owners are making all efforts to make up for their losses and even exploring the option of switching to online sale of merchandise.
They are also well aware of the fact that people would hesitate coming out of their houses, especially when the Covid threat still looms large.
Shopkeepers are opting for all available avenues to counter the setback they faced due to the lockdown.
Undoubtedly, maximising sale through online modes seem to be the popular option, wherein products are delivered on the doorstep of customers.
The traders are getting themselves acquainted with digital platforms, and retailers and wholesalers are also hiring delivery personnel and training the existing store staff for e-commerce.
Rehmat Collections, a leading retail garment shop near Babrik Chowk, has also adopted similar means to boost up the sale. Training of the existing staff, video call demonstrations and phone bookings for contact less delivery of goods are among the new measures being adopted by them to bring the business back on tracks.
Arjun Papneja, owner of Rehmat Collections, said the lockdown had hit their business hard. The last two months were crucial. That was the time for winter stock clearance and adding fresh stock of summer. “Utilising the relaxation time of 9 am to 6 pm, we are making all efforts to increase the sale while ensuring social distancing at our shop. Not more than two-three customers are entertained at a time and they are also directed not to rush outside the shop. We have circulated our phone numbers among our clients. They take appointment prior to coming. Apart from this, we are also offering free home delivery facility. Our staff assist clients in choosing their outfits and after selection we hire workers to deliver the same on their doorstep. At the shop, customers are greeted with sanitisers and those without mask are not allowed to enter,” added Papneja.
For resuming the business, the retailers have also slashed the prices of garments. Papneja said he had also cut prices by 30-50 per cent.
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