Gurgaon: Gold makes way for gadgets on Dhanteras

Dhanteras shoppers are not just concentrating on jewellery outlets and also crowding electronic and household appliances stores

The retail stores in the city saw a rush on Monday on the occasion of Dhanteras, considered the most auspicious day of the year to make purchases.

People buy utensils from Sadar Bazar in Gurgaon on Dhanteras on Monday. (Abhinav Saha/HT Photo)

Shops offered various gifts and discounts to attract people and residents thronged malls and shopping complexes to purchase jewellery, electronic appliances, home furnishings and automobiles.

Several malls in the city reported a rise in footfall of at least 30% as compared to a regular Monday. The mall management said shoppers were not just concentrating on jewellery outlets and were also crowding electronic and household appliances stores.

“The mall was full of shoppers today and most were buying gifts on the occasion of Dhanteras. A lot of people were buying electronic appliances and household products,” Vijay Aima, vice-president of Ambience Mall, said.

Jewellery shops, especially, were flooded with costumers buying mainly gold and silver coins as shagun. Though there was a brisk sale of coins, jewellers said the market is relatively low this year.

A jeweller said people these days preferred to buy things that were of use in their daily lives rather than buying and gold and other precious metal.

“The market is good today as compared to a regular day. But the crowd has come down over the years. People would rather buy electronic items or household goods instead of investing in gold or silver. The residents are also pessimistic about purity standards these days,” Suresh Verma, a local jeweler, said.

Dhruv Agarwal, 34-year-old city resident, said, “I have decided to buy household appliances instead of gold and silver. I think it is better to invest in things that I need now instead of gold, which is a saving for future.”

“I have been to three shops since morning but I am still looking for the best option to buy a washing machine. There are so many exciting offers at every shop that I am going to check out as many shops as possible before making my choice,” Shweta, a 27-year-old resident, said.