Pulwama: As the festive spirit of Eid ul Fitr spreads across Kashmir, markets in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district come alive with vibrant colors and an air of celebration. While Rajpora remains a well-known destination for Sheermal lovers, Pulwama’s Choodi Bazaar has long been a preferred shopping spot for women looking to purchase bangles, jewelry, cosmetics, and other festive accessories.
However, despite the usual excitement surrounding Eid shopping, this year’s sales at Choodi Bazaar have fallen short of expectations.
Shopkeepers have expressed disappointment over the lower-than-expected customer turnout and a noticeable drop in purchasing power among buyers, making this festive season less lucrative for traders.
Located near Pulwama’s Clock Tower, Choodi Bazaar has been a prominent marketplace for women since 2007. Now under the administration of the Jammu and Kashmir Waqf Board, the market consists of around 20 medium and small-sized shops catering exclusively to female shoppers. Known for its diverse selection of scarves, hosiery, cosmetics, bangles, jewelry, and perfumes, it has long provided a unique shopping experience for women from Pulwama, Pampore, Shopian, Anantnag, and nearby districts.
Every year, as Eid approaches, the market transforms into a bustling hub of activity, filled with eager shoppers preparing for the celebrations.
Despite the festive atmosphere and decorated shopfronts, shopkeepers this year are struggling with an unusual slowdown in business. Many traders, who in the past had to bring in extra salesmen to handle the rush, now find themselves waiting for customers.
howket Ahmad, a shopkeeper at Choodi Bazaar, recalled how in previous years he had to employ additional staff to manage the overwhelming crowd. “On past Eids, we could barely keep up with the shoppers. This time, I was sitting idle until noon, waiting for customers to arrive,” he said, visibly disheartened.
Sameer Ahmad, another trader, shared a similar concern, explaining that despite shopkeepers lowering their profit margins to attract more buyers, the footfall remained disappointingly low.
“We kept the prices as low as possible, hoping to encourage more shopping. But the response was underwhelming. Sales picked up slightly in the afternoon, but even then, it was nowhere close to previous years,” he said.
Local traders attribute the decline in sales to financial hardships faced by many households. Rising costs of essentials have forced families to prioritize necessities over discretionary spending on items like cosmetics and jewelry.
Vendors say that while women still visit the market, many leave without making purchases or settle for cheaper alternatives.
Fayaz Ahmad Wani, Vice President of the Pulwama Traders Federation, confirmed that business across the district has been slow this Eid compared to previous years.
“The overall market activity has been dull. People are spending less, and we are witnessing the same trend across Pulwama,” he said. Fayaz further pointed out that the economic downturn is not limited to Pulwama alone but is a phenomenon being observed throughout the country.
