The streets of South Kashmir, especially in Anantnag, are unusually quiet ahead of Eid ul Adha, with a noticeable absence of the typical pre-Eid business rush. This slowdown has significantly impacted traders in Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam, and Shopian districts, where the bustling activity that usually characterizes this time of year has diminished dramatically.
Typically, these markets would be alive with people making festive purchases, but this year there’s a significant decline in consumer activity.
“This is very unusual. The trade during these days used to spike up, but this year, the shopping has just picked up with only one day left to Eid. We are barely able to manage our shop rents. GST, Inflation, loan interest hikes, demonetization, small businesses have taken one hit after another and at the top of that the government has done everything to ease trade for online businesses,” said Feroz Ahmed, a shopkeeper in once bustling Reshi Bazar area of Anantnag.
Muhammad Altaf Kar, President of the Traders Federation Pulwama, reported to Greater Kashmir that sales in Pulwama have plummeted by 50 to 55 percent compared to previous years. The usual Eid shopping fervor is conspicuously absent, with fewer customers frequenting garment stores, footwear shops, bakeries, and other retail outlets. Kar noted that this downturn in business isn’t isolated to Kashmir but is being felt nationwide.
In both Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian districts, shopkeepers echoed similar sentiments, reporting sharp declines in sales.
Haji Abdul Rasheed, President of the All Traders and Manufacturers Association in Anantnag, highlighted that the town, which used to be a favorite shopping destination in South Kashmir, has experienced a drop of 60 to 70 percent in sales.