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Vashi2Panvel.Com: Navi Mumbai: March 30: With the arrival of Gudi Padwa, the more than a month long drought in business has finally come to an end as it has started raining money for businesses across Navi Mumbai. No wonder the smiles have returned back on the faces of the businessmen after witnessing a not so successful Navi Mumbai shopping festival.

“The money has finally started to flow in because of the New Year after a long lull”, beams Suresh Patel, sales manager of Apna Ghar – the electronics gallery, Koper Khairane. This newfound sentiment is echoed by other businessmen as well. “It is a very busy time for us as there are a lot of deliveries to be made for orders that have been placed before hand due to Gudi Padwa. Its good to be busy again after a period of inactivity”, says the manager of Wonders Furnishing, Vashi unwilling to divulge his name.

The boom in the business is, however, not only due to the arrival of the Gudi Padwa. The businesses also put in their contribution to help sales swell by way of attractive offers and discounts. The sops range from cash discounts to special gifts to scratch cards and exchange offers and so on. However not everyone believes in this school of thought. “We offer high quality products at reasonable rates hence we do not give further discounts. We have also come up with a new summer collection making it all the more exciting for the buyers”, says manager of Wonder Furnishings.

Amidst all this shopping frenzy the gold business has surprisingly been left out. “With the increasing rates of the yellow metal and the wedding season almost coming to an end the gold market is witnessing a slack”, says Dinesh Jain, owner, National Jewellers, Panvel. “However we are trying on our part to attract customers by offering upto 50% discount on making charges”, he adds.

Though the business in the market is headed north wards at the moment it is not clear if this march will continue or will the bubble burst after Gudi Padwa. “The business has picked up after a long time and it should sustain the momentum as April marks the beginning of a new financial year putting an end to the inhibitions that persist towards March end because of closing of financial accounts”, says Suhit Bhanushali of Surya Sarees, Nerul. On the other hand Ramesh Choudari, owner, Signature Clothing, Koper Khairane feels “The sudden spurt in sales was only due to Gudi Padwa which will most probably die down once the festive period is over. The business will pick up only after April”.

By Wasim Sayed