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Shoppers not in the mood for Avurudu shopping splurge
By Kasun Warakapitiya
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Low sales in Pettah say vendors. Pix by Priyantha Wickramaarachchi
The heat, power cuts and people’s focus on the Budget have overshadowed this year’s Avurudu preparations, resulting in low sales, disappointed vendors say.
Shops and stalls with garments, electric items and household goods saw little interest from customers with only five days left to go until the New Year dawns.
Normally, said Ranil Chathuska, who sells imported Indian sarongs at his street stall, people came to buy his goods from early March.
“During New Year people buy sarongs and new clothes but this year fewer customers appeared and many of them are just passing by after work,” he said.
Rasheen Samsudeen, 44, who sells doormats, was hoping for sales to families shopping for new accessories after repairing their houses.
“These days, people aren’t coming to Pettah to shop as in previous years. I would have sold half my doormats by now,” he said. People said they were in financial hardship and could not buy much. Some were holding off making purchases, hoping that the Budget would hold concessions. Others were waiting to obtain their New Year salary advances to hit the shops. Kamani Bhagya Aberatne, 27, from Kotikawatte said people were not in a celebratory Avurudu mood and were buying only the essentials.
Ranil Chathuska
Bhagya Aberatne
Rasheen Samsudeen