Sales of clothes and accessories for women like saris, kurtis, jewellery, bangles and beads have jumped in the Kathmandu Valley with the approach of Teej, the festival of Hindu women.

Shoppers have been thronging Kathmandu’s traditional markets like Asan and Indra Chowk from the past few days to buy various items for the festival. Traders said that business had swelled two-three times the usual level.

Rajina Karki, proprietor of Rajina Collection, a wholesale and retail shop that offers saris, kurtas, bags and jewellery, among other ladies goods, at Baluwatar, said that business had jumped threefold since mid-August.

“I am selling ladies goods worth Rs50,000-Rs60,000 daily against Rs15,000-Rs20,000 on normal days,” she said, adding that 40 percent of their sales happen during the festive season.

Karki is hoping that the festive season will trigger a recovery as business had plunged after the earthquake. “Business was slow even during the marriage season from mid-April to mid-May as people had postponed their wedding ceremonies. So I hope this festive season will help us to recover our losses,” said Karki.  

Likewise, Neera Vaidya, owner of Neera Handicraft at Baluwatar which sells bangles and beads, said that Teej and the wedding season were the times when sales of bangles and beads go up. According to her, she has a daily turnover of Rs10,000.  

Bullion traders are also witnessing brisk business with customers crowding in to make jewellery. Lower gold prices compared to last year have also fuelled business, said traders.

Mani Ratna Shakya, president of the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers Association (Fenegosida), said gold sales had doubled to 40-50 kg daily against 20-25 kg previously.  

However, business still has not returned to last year’s levels, traders said. Sejika Shrestha, proprietor of Stylish Ganesha at Banasthali, said that customers were purchasing low-cost items to present as gifts to their relatives and family members.

“Although the number of customers has increased in the last few days, business is slow compared to the same period last year,” said Shrestha, adding that a rise in prices had also contributed to a slump in sales this year. According to her, kurtas and saris, among other clothes, have become dearer by a minimum of Rs200 per piece compared to last year.  

Ratan Biswokarma, proprietor of Tara Traders at Sitapaila that sells kurta salwar, kurtis, leggings and lehenga, said that customers across the country did not seem to be as enthusiastic as before.