GUWAHATI: Given the coronavirus scare and its increasing awareness amongst the city people, markets in Guwahati have seen a massive slowdown. Allegedly, Fancy Bazaar has seen 90 percent decline in footfall and the daily revenue has also gone down by 75 percent.
It has also to be mentioned that the various malls across the city are also seeing negligible customers.
Abhijeet Thakur, Mall Manager of City Centre, Guwahati said, “The mall can currently be said to be partially open, although we might close down completely if any notice or advisory is given. The headcount of daily customers is very low, about 60% low. We are also seeing a decline of Rs 6 to 7 lakh of sales per day.”
Similar trends are also being seen in the other shopping malls of Guwahati.
Sandeep Khaitan, Treasurer of Federation of Industry and Commerce of North Eastern Region informed G Plus that the factories providing inputs to larger industries like steel has completely slowed down as many industries have declined to accept fresh supplies in fear of the deadly COVID-19 spread. Orders from Bhutan have also been cancelled.
However, the demand for consumer products have increased and many companies like Calvin Klein are trying to manufacture alcohol-based sanitizers and masks but the government has not yet granted permission.
Given the financial year ending, many government transactions that are usually conducted in March have also been significantly affected as many government offices and even the secretariat have limited visitors.