The festive season is at our doorstep. The options before consumers are whether they should buy online which has plenty of offers or go out into the market buy from local shops and risk COVID-19. The concept of ‘vocal for local’ seems to have caught on with people in Goa segmenting their shopping of different products between online and offline.
Merin Martin Counsellor in a school believes that online purchases are always easier as there are no timings and it is available 24×7 on ones mobile with lots of options. “Yes, COVID-19 is playing a factor in our mind but at the same time online purchase does save lots of time and there is comfort of doing it from home. However, one cannot rely and fully depend on online products. Also buying from locals does help the local economy, which I do.”
Lecturer from a South Goa college, Zamila Pacheco is also into online buying as it is much safer during these times. “I would like to avoid the hustle bustle and the crowd in the market, especially during these COVID-19 times. Yes, online buying is much more comfortable as I am not a brand loyalist. I would pick up anything which is for my utility and suitable to my taste. Groceries too are available online these days,” said Pacheco.
Physiotherapist by profession Shikha Kundaikar however, believes otherwise and is a strong believer in supporting locals. “I would like to go out to buy and not do online purchases. I would prefer to buy from those vendors who sit on the road side to sell their products. If we do not go out to buy from them how will they survive? I feel buying from locals is always better. My experience in the past with online shopping was bitter and I am not in to online shopping anymore. If everyone starts shopping online then who will take care of the locals? I would strongly recommend people to go out and buy by maintain physical distancing,” said Shikha Kundaikar.
Samrudh Bharne, managing director of Bharne’s Group, a leading player in the apparel and fashion space depends heavily on events, festival and weddings for its sales. “Our business is down by 50 per cent but essentials are being bought. People prefer to touch, feel and buy apparels. We have taken all precautions to make our customers feel safe and comfortable. Yes, we too have uploaded our products on online e-commerce platforms,” said Samrudh Bharne.
Partner in Magsons, Kirit Maganlal feels glad to witness the enthusiasm picking momentum as the festive season arrives and the same is seeming more prominent in the on line space. “Pick up your daily papers or see the spurt of delivery vehicles on the roads to see what I mean. The next few days will unravel the extent of shopping enthusiasm once the figures from Amazon, Flipkart and the like, start coming in. Despite COVID-19, I foresee a growing demand in household durables, furniture, white goods though demand for festive wear may shrink. Grocery will continue to grow to pre-COVID-19 levels,” said Maganlal.
Woman entrepreneur Aarti Gedam advocates online shopping at these times. “In the current scenario it is safer to do online shopping. I have also seen that locals are going online. Many shops have started to place their products on online e-commerce platforms. So even if we buy online we are indirectly benefitting them. I would surely like to avoid the crowd at this point of time. If I can avoid something I would surely do so. However, essentials like groceries and vegetables cannot be avoided so we have to go,” said Aarti Gedam.
The usual crowd at the local market was missing and people preferred to buy from outside and open shopping points than actually entering the stores. A store manager of apparel outlet, Arrow said, “We have witnessed 50 per cent drop in our sales. What we have done is that we have uploaded our brands and products on e-commerce platforms and we see that the sales are happening but there are many choices for the buyers.”
Director General of Goa Chambers of Commerce and Industry R S Kamat felt that we need to promote locals. “Though I may buy some products like mobile phones online, I would prefer to buy apparels and some expensive items like television etc from a local store simply because I trust local stores more than an online platform for after sales service,” said Kamat.
