Shopping is a serious business

Manav Mander

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Stepping out and going for shopping is a serious business in itself during Covid times. The checklist for the shoppers includes face mask, sanitiser and keeping in mind the rule of social distancing. Instead of lippers, girls these days are tucking in the sanitisers in their hand bags and fancy masks are already making waves. While on the other hand store owners instead of offering water are now giving hand sanitiser to every visitor and you are allowed inside only if your temperature is normal. This is the new normal.

Well, people are going out for shopping only if they want to buy. Window shopping is passé. Store owners too are having an altogether novel experience.

Serving with a smile!

For Swastika Dutta Sobti, co-owner of Cake Square at Pakhowal Road and Sarabha Nagar, work has become tough these days, from procuring to baking and then wearing a face mask from 9 am to 8 pm is not at all an easy task.

“It is a huge task to stay protected and it starts to affect the mind with low/inadequate oxygen supply after some time. The heat has made it all the more difficult to step out because of sweating under the mask. It is also taxing on the mind to be constantly aware of the virus around and still try to maintain a happy face while we serve,” says Swastika.

“We have opened our bakery to spread smiles and keep normalcy in people’s life amidst the chaos and also to support a handful of staff,” she says.

Back in time

In 1870s, cloth merchants used to travel on foot with an assistant carrying an iron chest. Going door-to- door, they used to display their wares.

Nilibar Store at Mall Road has gone back to those times. As customers are reluctant to come to the shops, Nilibar has adopted a unique way of delivering at the doorsteps as it was done in the old days.

“I have assigned duties to two of my drivers and they are taking the selected stock to the homes of the customers. For customers living in other cities and countries, we are either sending them pictures or showing them the variety through Facetime calls,” said Sonu from Nilibar Store. Back at the Mall Road store all the necessary precautions are being taken and salesmen are wearing face shields and masks. The store is also giving free masks and sanitiser to every shopper.

Getting real

One thing that has turned out positive for the store owners is that only genuine customers are coming these days to the stores.

Rahul Aggarwal from Rahul’s at National Road, dealing in designer wear for women, said, “Earlier, some customers used to visit the store just to have a look at the designs or just to get an idea about the trends. Sometimes women would step in just because they had come to the store next door. That has stopped and now only customers who want to buy are coming,” said Rahul.

No excitement at all

The experience for customers is also a mixed bag. “Since the lockdown has been relaxed and I have to go to office, I wanted to buy some summer clothing. Instead of being excited, I was perplexed at the thought of going to a store. I bought a few kurtas and trying out was not allowed. Now, three days have passed and my new clothes are still lying in the balcony. I used to be so excited to try out new clothes after coming home and wearing them to office but now I will take them out of the packet only after a week,” shares Shally Arora, with low spirits.