GUWAHATI, Dec 26 - The late onset of winter this year has put a dampener on the business prospects of many traders as the sale of woollen clothes suffered immensely at Fancy Bazaar, one of the busiest markets in the city.
�Our stock consists of winter wear for women and children and we procure them from Delhi and Kolkata. This time we are only targeting to sell off whatever we have brought so far,� said Bipul Das. Despite the festive Christmas season, he did not have as many buyers and his profit-making chances looked bleak. �Now the only hope is the Magh Bihu week next year,� he added.
�This year winter has not set in yet and the business of woolen clothes has really suffered,� said Nityananda Kumar, who trades in dupattas, stoles and shawls. �People are buying thin stoles over the thick woolen shawls,� he added.
Most of the traders who have set up shops in this area buy their stock from local wholesale markets. �As compared to last year, there has been a fifty per cent slash in our business this time,� said Rana Saha.
