The festive spirit has taken over Kolkata, with markets and shopping malls across the city witnessing a surge in demand for Christmas decorations and seasonal experiences. From the crowded lanes of New Market to the vibrant stalls of Hatibagan, shoppers are seeking a unique blend of traditional charm and creative, personalized touches for their celebrations.
Markets Buzz with DIY Trends and Traditional Favourites
Shopkeepers report a clear shift in consumer preferences. Rohit Das, a shopkeeper in New Market, notes that DIY décor kits, handmade wreaths, and ornaments made from materials like jute are increasingly popular among those wanting to add a personal flair. Meanwhile, for larger displays, elaborate carousel-style setups and extensive twinkling light arrangements are in vogue.
Over in Hatibagan, Jitendra Joshi, a decor shop owner, confirms that classic elements remain crowd-pullers. Animated Santas and glowing reindeer figures are the top picks, with gold and red emerging as the dominant colour theme this season. The demand is not limited to home decoration; ornaments are also being bought as gifts, leading to larger purchase volumes per customer visit.
"There’s a lot more excitement this time. People are buying in bulk and choosing quality ornaments. Our sales are much better compared to last year," said Ramesh Paul, a Christmas decor seller at Gariahat Market. Echoing this sentiment, Asim, a seller at New Market, added that "Repeat customers and new buyers come looking for trendy decor. Handmade ornaments are selling fast and this has helped boost overall sales."
Malls Create Immersive Winter Wonderlands and Culinary Journeys
City malls are competing to become the epicentre of festive celebrations by offering more than just shopping discounts. They are crafting immersive environments and tapping into Kolkata's beloved winter food culture. Ramesh Pandey, COO of events for the Ambuja Neotia group, revealed that a series of festive events have been planned across their malls in Salt Lake and Rajarhat, with special food pop-ups and seasonal activations forming a core part of the experience.
These culinary journeys celebrate the city's enduring love for winter indulgences, ranging from fresh bakes to the nostalgic flavour of nolen gur (date palm jaggery). Amit Kumar, executive director of South City Mall, stated that through their campaign ‘Wrapped in Winter’, the mall has been transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with Santa meet-and-greets, live performances, and festive giveaways.
Festive Setup and Sales See Significant Uptick
The effort to create magical spaces is widespread. In Kasba, a mall under the Merlin Group has unveiled an immersive festive setup. Subhadip Basu, corporate GM for retail and hospitality at Merlin Group, said the mall has undergone a vibrant transformation designed to delight visitors of all ages, enhanced by fairy lights, wreaths, and stars.
The combined focus on unique décor in markets and experiential celebrations in malls is driving a noticeable uptick in footfall and sales. Stalls across city markets are lined with a wide array of options, from fairy lights and colourful baubles to stars and Santa figurines, catering to both traditional and modern tastes. This holistic approach to the festive season, blending retail with experience, is defining Christmas celebrations in Kolkata this year.
