E-Paper
Bulldozer fear drives MG clearance sale
FEBRUARY IS traditionally the season of clearance sales and the biggest of them are currently on at showrooms along the Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road. The demolition of MG 1 and MG 2 has scared the owners of the showrooms down the road, which are next on the MCD's hit list.
FEBRUARY IS traditionally the season of clearance sales and the biggest of them are currently on at showrooms along the Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road. The demolition of MG 1 and MG 2 has scared the owners of the showrooms down the road, which are next on the MCD's hit list.
Not knowing when the bulldozers may target their shops, they are offering huge discounts to clear out their stocks. There are many furniture shops and factory outlets of big apparel brands on MG Road. While clearance sales at the factory outlets are common, furniture showrooms too are giving 20-60 per cent discounts.
"I'm giving sofas, beds and other furniture on discount to attract buyers so that I sell out as much of my stock as possible," says Prem Kumar, owner of a wooden-furniture showroom on MG Road. "These showrooms will be demolished anytime after the MCD finishes with MG 1 and 2. Where'll I keep these huge items when the showroom is gone?"
S.B. Singh believes his furniture showroom will also be demolished. "I'm giving a discount to sell out as much stuff as possible," he says.
Mohit Kothari, owner of another furniture showroom, says, "This will be our final clearance sale. The MCD will be busy with MG 1 and 2 for some time but after a few months our showroom will also be demolished. After that we'll move bag and baggage from this place."
The showrooms on MG Road belong to village landlords and the shopowners have taken them on rent. The MCD says all these showrooms — built on Lal Dora land — will be demolished. "We'll take up all the shops in that area but can't say if they'll be destroyed partially or completely," says Ajay Kumar, deputy commissioner, MCD (south zone).
