‘Deepavali shoppers more prudent’

SEREMBAN: A few years ago, S. Prakash could easily make almost RM1,000 in profit per day, just by selling traditional Indian costumes for Deepavali.

However, according to the 36year-old seller, the same couldn’t be said this year.

“The economy is not very good now. It used to be so easy to sell a sari, which cost hundreds of ringgit, but, today, it is very hard to even sell a RM40 sari,” he said.

“I spoke to some customers and they told me they would rather spend on other stuff than splurge on things that they don’t use often.

“Prices of other goods have gone up, so everyone is on a tight budget.

“Many customers have turned to more cash-saving options, but to us sellers, we still have to run the businesses to make ends meet,” said Prakash, who is one of the vendors at the Deepavali carnival at Little India in Jalan Dato Lee Fong Yee, here.

For K, Krishnveni, 40, a “kacang putih” seller, her business was good despite the slow economy and high cost of living.

“I think when it comes to food, people don’t mind spending, especially for special occasions such as Deepavali.

“My ‘kacang putih’ has been selling like hot cakes and I have customers from all races coming to buy the snacks,” she said.

The mother of two, who sells the famous “Ipoh Kacang Putih”, said it was the quality of the snacks offered at her stall that drew customers.

M. Kalaiveni, 18, who loves colourful accessories to complement her outfit on Deepavali, said being on a shoestring budget was not a problem as more “economical options” were up for grabs.

“Cheap items do not mean they are not good.

“As long as they look good and I’m comfortable with them, I have no problem wearing them.”

She said since she was studying, preparations for Deepavali were mainly done by her elder sister.