CURATED BY – UMESH KUSHWAHA | CITYCHIEFNEWS

Satna, Diwali is the biggest festival of the country and this festival has great importance for the business class. On one hand, Diwali is worshipped in every shop and house, while due to Diwali and the festivals related to it, traders are hopeful of big business throughout the year. Keeping this in mind, extensive preparations have started for Diwali and the festivals related to it in the markets across the country including Delhi, on the other hand, many steps are being taken for customers to buy from markets instead of online. This year, traders are expected to do business worth 4.25 lakh crores during the festive season.

MP from Chandni Chowk and National General Secretary of Confederation of All India Traders (CAT) Mr. Praveen Khandelwal said here today that preparations are being made in full swing in the markets of Delhi and across the country in view of the series of Diwali and other festivals, while traders across the country have also prepared to take many types of business steps to deal strongly with the challenges of e-commerce. Mr. Khandelwal said that in this regard, CAT is starting a special national campaign through which customers will be appealed to come to the markets and shop instead of online. Hoardings of this appeal will be put up on a large scale in the markets across the country, while this message will be conveyed to crores of people through social media.

Mr. Khandelwal said that shops in the markets of all the metros, tier 2 and tier 3 cities including towns and villages of the country including Delhi will be decorated according to the theme of Diwali. Special care is being taken of colourful lights, rangoli and other decorations so that customers get a festive atmosphere and more and more people are attracted to the markets.

CAT National President Mr. B.C. Bhartia

told that keeping in mind the huge increase in demand during the festival, traders have already started increasing their stock of various items, especially gift items, clothes, jewellery, electronics, mobiles, furnishings, decoration material, puja material, rangoli, photos and idols of gods and goddesses, readymade garments, toys, food items, confectionery, electrical goods, consumer durables, etc.

CAT National Organization Minister and State President Bhupendra Jain told that various types of discounts and promotional offers are also being considered to attract customers. Shopkeepers can run schemes like 'buy one-get one' or Diwali discounts to attract customers.

Since there is a huge crowd in the markets during Diwali, the police and local administration are being urged to make special arrangements for security and traffic control, while on the other hand, trade associations are also planning to hire additional private security guards at their level.

Challenges and solutions of e-commerce

Due to the increasing pressure of unhealthy business policies issued by e-commerce companies and attractive offers, it has become a challenge for local traders to compete with these companies, but still traders are now adopting omni-channel strategies at their level, where they are trying to promote their business both through various online platforms and their shops.

Traders of the main market (retail market) are also ready to compete with online companies (Sethi)

Deepak Sethi told that some traders are starting online ordering and local delivery services through social media so that they can compete with e-commerce platforms.

For this, they are using their store's website or social media and are also taking orders through WhatsApp, and getting the goods delivered. The shopping experience in the markets is personal, people can see the goods directly along with its variety, while customers can decide to buy electronic items after touching and feeling them, and this facility can be found only in shops. Traders are emphasizing on improving this experience further. Some traders are offering exclusive local offers and quick delivery services to retain customers, which are not available on e-commerce. Traders are constantly talking to many companies to partner with fast-track delivery services to ensure timely delivery.
Overall, markets across the country along with Delhi are fully prepared for Diwali and are taking many new steps to face the challenges of e-commerce and are fully prepared to do big business this time in the festive season.