Bengaluru: With temperatures soaring across the city, traditional retail hubs are witnessing a sharp dip in activity, as shoppers choose to stay indoors and avoid daytime heat. Traders in bustling markets such as Chickpet, Commercial Street, and Brigade Road say the impact has been immediate and visible, with thinner crowds, shorter visits, and a noticeable decline in impulse buying.
Sharp Drop in Footfall
According to traders, shopper footfall has dropped by 30-50% over the past few weeks, with the sharpest slump seen between late morning and afternoon hours. Bengaluru's maximum temperature is hovering around 35 degrees Celsius, while the actual feeling of heat is much higher these days. Many shopkeepers pointed out that the heatwave has coincided with the ongoing wedding season — typically a high-revenue period — but the expected surge in sales has failed to materialise this year.
Women Avoiding Daytime Shopping
Retailers say women, who form a significant share of their customer base, are particularly avoiding stepping out during the day. Even weekends, which usually bring in steady crowds, are seeing only a marginal uptick. Those who do venture out are limiting their time outdoors, often making quick purchases and leaving without browsing.
Yogesh Sheth, owner of N Vinod Kumar and Company, a wholesale store in Chickpet, said, "Our sales have come down by around 15% as customers are not stepping out of their homes. Shopping is not even on their list right now. Usually, women customers form a large share, but the heat has been so intense that we are seeing very few customers between 11am and 4pm. Weekends are slightly better, but that is not enough to sustain the business."
Industry Associations Voice Concerns
Prakash Chand Pirgal, president of Bangalore Wholesale Cloth Merchants' Association, said, "Because of the rising heat, footfall across markets has dropped by nearly 50%, severely affecting business. Many are avoiding stepping out even on weekends because of the harsh weather. Normally, since it is marriage season, traders have higher expectations, but the heat is taking a toll on sales."
Traders say operational challenges have also increased, with some attempting small measures like offering drinking water, but acknowledging that there is little they can do to offset the larger impact of extreme weather conditions.
Mayank Rohatgi, secretary of Commercial Street Association, said, "At present, we are giving water bottles to customers to help them cool down, but beyond that, we do not know how else to accommodate them. We cannot put up tents or shelters as people come from all directions. We can only hope for the sun to go down. Vendors across the market have raised concerns about falling footfall, with sales declining by 15-25%."
Suhail Yusuff, secretary of Brigade Shops and Establishments' Association, said, "Footfall has dropped by around 25% over the past month... we are often sitting idle until 5pm or 6pm. Restaurants are struggling even more as customers are not coming in, and on top of that, issues like the LPG crisis are adding to the pressure."
Civic Works Add to Woes
Trade activist Sajjan Raj Mehta said, "The afternoon sales have completely dropped. Suddenly, all the streets have become empty, and it feels like Chennai's weather has shifted here. On top of that, the ongoing civic works have affected businesses as roads like BVK Iyengar Road to Balepet, Mamulpet Main Road, and RT Street on Abhinay Theatre Side are closed. People are becoming more health-conscious and are refusing to step out in this heat."
