Patna: Markets, offline or online, are buzzing and car showrooms revving up for sales in the run-up to Dhanteras.
From bakeries to dessert shops to gift stores, items have been flying off the shelves. The combination of fruits, chips, and bhujiya with dry fruits and chocolate are in great demand. Gifting dry fruits is considered special in Diwali. This time, the packaging of dry fruits has been made in different styles. Gift packs of cashews, almonds, pistachios, walnuts have been prepared, which cost between Rs 400 and Rs 1,600. There are also gift packs between Rs 160 and Rs 880.
Car showrooms are registering 25 to 30 per cent bookings more than normal days. The booking is expected to increase further till Dhanteras.
Online stores have announced mega festival sales and exchange offers for customers. Discounts on home furnishings, smartphones, electronics and others will be offered. There will be increase in sales of gold and silver. On Dhanteras, it is considered auspicious to buy gold, silver and other valuables. On this Diwali gold rate is around Rs 30,000 per 10gm in the capital. Silver is running at Rs 39,281 a kg, according to sources.
Shop owners are predicting a 25-30 per cent increase in sales of jewellery as compared to 2016. The Tanishq showroom on Fraser Road is offering 25 per cent discount on making gold and diamond jewellery. The showroom has launched some unique designed jewellery costing between Rs 70,000 and Rs 15 lakh encouraged by upcoming Hindi film Padmavati to attract customers.
"The relaxation on the mandatory Aadhaar cards and PAN cards for purchases above Rs 50,000 has pushed up sales. Bold naths, finger rings, bangles, mathapattis, kundan necklaces and diamond-like nilofar, queen of arts and diamond rings are the most popular ornaments among women," said Umesh Kejriwal, the store manager of Tanishq.
Diamond and emerald jewellery like kundan, meena jugalbandi, Turkish and Roman jewellery are winning hearts of customers at Heera Panna jewellery shop on Boring Road. It is offering discount of up to 50 per cent on making charges on hallmark gold jewellery, while the deduction on certified diamond jewellery is up to 100 per cent. Customers will get a chance to win a bumper prize in the lucky draw.
With Diwali around the corner, Patnaites are purchasing several decorative items. Chinese lights and products too are popular with people owing to the low price and the various designs such as butterfly lights, rice lights and crystal lamps.
Ghanshyam, who hails from Gorakhpur, and sells diyas and near the high court, said he has been selling diyas for five years. "I sell Lakshmi diyas, Ganesh diyas, diyas in the shape of tortoise. The diyas range between Rs 40 and Rs 600. People take a liking to these instead of the traditional diyas," he said.
