Dhanteras celebrations were dampened in Jharsuguda district which is marred by the industrial slowdown and massive layoffs in the last two year.
Generally, the festival of Dhanteras is seen as a major pull for bringing back positive sentiment in the local markets. However, this year there seems to be relatively lesser spike in sale of high ticket items like jewelleries and automobiles. low value items such as utensils and clothes witnessed sales on predictable lines.
Sushil Sarawagi, owner of Odissi Jewellers in Jharsuguda said, “The sales of gold coins and other high value jewellery items has been below expectations this season, despite multiple attractive offers to woo customers”.
Arun Mundra, owner of Vijayaxmi Automobiles in Jharsuguda said, “The sales of two-wheelers in the district have been much below expectations when compared with the last few years.”
Although, there was an encouraging response in the electronics market as there was bumper sales recorded for TVs, refrigerators, microwaves and washing machines.
Mahindra Wadhwa, Mahindra Electronics proprietor in Brajrajnagar, said, “Owing to many attractive discounts and offers by most electronics companies, the sales of electronic goods in the district have been extremely encouraging.”
Keeping in mind the increasing incidents of loot, the police in Jharsuguda, Brajrajnagar and Belpahar have made stringent security arrangements in prime markets and commercial hubs of the district.
