Untimely rainfall which caused temperatures in March to match December’s chill has dampen the business of local room cooler makers. The business, which does almost 25 per cent of its sales by March first week, has not even picked up yet.
“Every year, the sales begin from mid February but soon it will be mid-March and the sales have not even begun yet,” said Haidar Bhati, who has been in the business for more than two decades now. He said that last time the sales were affected because of the weather was in 2006.
Because of the sporadic rainfall and cloudy weather that enveloped the city even days after the end of winter season caused several cooler makers to leave their business spots.
“There is no point in sitting all day expecting customers. The sales will not pick up until the heat becomes unbearable for the citizens,” said Saleem Quadir, who runs a cooler shop near Motibagh.
To attract buyer, room cooler sellers have also offered a discount varying from five to 15 percent. They say that once the city comes under the reel of heat, the coolers that are now priced at Rs 2,700 will cost around Rs 3,500.
“We have slashed our prices by 10 percent but still the business is negligible,” said Pushpendra Sahu of Nagpur coolers in Pandri.