Preparations for the International Yoga Day celebrations on Red Road in Kolkata, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead a mass yoga session, have triggered a sharp rise in demand for yoga-related products. This has provided a healthy boost to the city's sports goods retailers, with sales surging by an estimated 40 to 50% over the past week.
Surge in Demand for Yoga Products
From yoga mats and athleisure wear to caps, water bottles and footwear, retailers across key commercial hubs reported a significant increase in sales. The demand is largely driven by bulk orders from government departments, educational institutions, wellness centres, traders' associations and individual participants preparing for the event.
Kolkata is hosting one of the country's largest International Yoga Day celebrations, the first time West Bengal has organised the event at this scale since the observance was introduced in 2014. The state government is jointly organising the programme with the Ministry of Ayush.
Retailers Report Busiest Week
Traders noted that the unexpected demand has helped offset a sluggish summer season, with many retailers experiencing one of their busiest weeks in recent months. Mohammad Ahmed, owner of Samy Sports & Sons in BC Roy Market, Esplanade, said: “The demand picked up from Monday when we started getting a flurry of orders. It came as a pleasant surprise. There has been a rise of almost 50% in the past one week. The bulk of the demand has come from govt departments and educational institutions. Many have got the names of their institutions and departments printed on the back of the T-shirts.”
Customised T-shirts, track pants and yoga mats have emerged as the most sought-after items as organisations prepare to participate in the large-scale event. Rajesh Agarwal, a wholesaler of sports goods on Burrabazar's Sir Hari Ram Goenka Street, stated: “We started receiving enquiries nearly two weeks ago, but the demand picked up significantly over the last few days. Orders for yoga mats and sportswear have increased by nearly 40 to 50% compared with a normal business period.”
Institutional and Retail Customers Drive Sales
Karan Kundra, owner of Ganpati Enterprise on Synagogue Street, added: “Schools, colleges and private organisations are purchasing in bulk, while many individuals are also buying yoga mats and sports shoes. Sales have been strong this week in the run-up to International Yoga Day.”
A giant stage measuring 12 feet in height, 60 feet in length and 40 feet in width has been erected on Red Road for the event. The backdrop is expected to rise nearly 36 feet, making it one of the largest stages built for a government programme in the city.
Growing Interest in Yoga
Over the last few years, interest in yoga has steadily grown in Kolkata, with wellness centres, residential complexes and corporate offices increasingly incorporating yoga sessions into their regular activities. Officials expect a turnout of around 50,000 participants at Red Road on Sunday. Bamboo barricades and additional crowd-control measures have been put in place along the stretch to manage spectators.
Apart from the main stage, officials have arranged designated yoga zones, medical assistance booths, drinking water facilities and emergency response teams along the Red Road stretch to ensure a smooth event.
