'It might take a while for our sales to go up,' says shopkeepers in Jaipur amid Covid-19 phased unlock plan

A visit to Jaipur is incomplete without shopping. And if you happen to be a shopaholic, Jaipur is no less than a heaven for you. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, markets, malls and public places in general were shut for nearly two months to contain the spread of the virus. Recently, as part of the phased unlock plan, markets and malls have reopened in Jaipur from 6 am to 4 pm, much to the relief of locals.So, those planning to come to Jaipur to explore the city can look forward to shopping here again. Sanitiser dispensers and markers for social distancing are in place as shopkeepers welcome customers after facing a long spell of no income.
There are countless choices for shopping in Jaipur, say shopkeepers
“We have opened our shops with high hopes. We are taking all the safety measures so that customers can shop more and worry less about the risk of getting infected,” says Mohan Prakash Agarwal, a shopkeeper in Bapu Bazaar.
“It might take a while for our sales to go up but we are witnessing people coming out for shopping. There are countless choices for shopping in Jaipur and as shopkeepers, we are making sure that our customers feel safe. From wearing masks, keeping sanitisers to not allowing more than three to four people inside our stores at a time, we are taking all the precautions. We are also making sure that our workers get vaccinated before they resume work,” says Anand Sharma, a shopkeeper at World Trade Park.
In-person shopping has its own charm, say shoppers
Not just shopkeepers, but even the shoppers are equally excited about indulging in in-person retail therapy. While they are understandably concerned about their health and won’t be going out without masks and hand sanitisers, they are keen to hit the stores and visit their favourite retailers. Aishwarya Mathur, a BA student, says, “I just want to get away from the internet for a while and do some shopping at my favourite stores in Jaipur. I overdosed on web series.”
Pratishtha Singh, a corporate professional, says, “It’s been so long that I haven’t gone out for shopping. While online shopping is convenient, I think in-person shopping has its own charm. You can bring your friends along for shopping, which makes the whole experience so much fun!”