As winter sets in, the city of Kochi is buzzing with festive cheer and robust commercial activity. Traders across the city are reporting a significant uptick in sales, driven by the dual celebrations of Christmas and New Year. Compared to the same period last year, there has been a notable 10% increase in the sale of festival essentials.
What's Selling Like Hotcakes?
The demand has been particularly strong for items that illuminate and decorate homes. Shoppers are enthusiastically buying multi-coloured LED floral lights, towering Christmas trees, intricate cribs, decorative stars, reindeer figures, and gifts across a wide price spectrum. Popular shopping districts like Broadway, MG Road, and Shanmugham Road have witnessed particularly brisk footfall and sales.
Anwar V E, the General Secretary of the Kerala Merchants Chamber of Commerce, highlighted the changing gifting culture. "Gifts and most items for illuminating houses have been in good demand," he said. "Nowadays, celebrations are held everywhere, from educational institutions to offices. Everyone participates in gift-giving, with presents ranging from Rs 20-30 to Rs 2,000." He added that while adults often choose perfumes and bags, students largely prefer miniature Santa Claus dolls.
Interestingly, traders note that rising prices have not deterred consumers this season, a shift from previous years. The pleasant, sunny daytime weather has also encouraged more people to venture out for shopping, further boosting sales.
Shifting Trends: From Paper Stars to Film-Themed LEDs
The cake industry is also enjoying the festive boom, recording a parallel 10% growth in sales. A local trader confirmed that plum cakes are the season's superstar, even though cream cakes remain popular throughout the year.
However, not all traditional items have maintained their demand. The sale of decorative stars has seen a decline, but for a practical reason. "Earlier, customers bought paper stars every year because they were not durable," explained a trader. "Now, LED stars last for many years, reducing repeat purchases." The stars that do sell are now often named after popular films. Currently, models named 'Lokah' and 'Kantara', priced between Rs 300 and Rs 600, are among the most sought-after.
The Online Shift Dampens Garment Sector Spirit
Despite the overall festive surge, one sector has not shared in the cheer: garments and footwear. Traders in this segment report a timid response from buyers. They attribute this slump to two major factors: inadequate parking space in crowded commercial areas and the ever-growing culture of online shopping.
A Kochi-based garment trader provided insight to the Times of India: "We see crowded marketplaces and roads during these festival days. But all that does not translate into purchases. People just visit the city, experience the atmosphere, and return home, as they have other avenues like online platforms to buy clothes." This indicates a clear behavioral shift where physical markets are becoming more about experience than transaction for certain categories.
Anticipating continued crowds, especially ahead of New Year's Eve, the Kochi traffic police have extended their vigil. A traffic police officer stated, "We expect people to return to the city once Christmas celebrations are over. Anticipating high footfall, we have extended traffic police service at night till 10 pm and identified spots requiring more personnel." This proactive measure aims to manage the expected influx of revelers and shoppers, ensuring smooth movement in the city center.
