Shop away to glory

It’s that time for the year again when Delhi’s shopping brigade is back.

But this time it’s not just Delhiites – even those outside the City are coming here in droves. Winter sales are luring everyone for sure.

Adelina Nungchim, an entrepreneur from Manipur, tries to bargain for a box of strawberries while balancing her shopping bag. When asked about her shopping, she says, “I have bought jeans from Zara and have availed a 40 per cent discount on my purchase. I wait for this winter sale every year when I travel to Delhi because they provide good offers at reduced rates.”

Sitting with a number of shopping bags and sipping cold drink in Connaught Place, Amit Sinha, who teaches IAS aspirants, accompanies his relatives, Pawan Kumar and Sunil Kumar from Motihari, Bihar. They have especially come to Delhi to shop and take back things for their families.

Amit says, “We have bought four jackets, a pair of shoes and three handbags, among other things. We get good quality stuff here which is unavailable in our hometown and that is why we prefer coming here.” When asked about their total expenditure, Pawan says, “Till now we have spent nearly Rs 16,000 to 18,000.”

 Another visitor to Delhi, Krishna Das, from Assam shops in the same market, “I had come to Delhi for some medical treatment. But before going back I wanted to come to the market because I was told that the winter sales here are absolutely fantastic. I have bought a pair of shoes from Adidas at flat 40 per cent discount,” she says.

Suja Shanmugam, a professor in electrical engineering from Tamil Nadu, shops with her family. She says, “I am here in Delhi for presenting a paper. I had some time on my hands before I go back, so I opted to visit the market. I am aware of the winter sales that come up every year so I have got my daughter along to buy some sweaters for her. I welcome discounts because during the sale I can pick up branded items at a lesser price and I don’t have to worry about the quality too.”

Not just shopaholics across India but even those from abroad are lured by the winter sales here. Alexia Howell is on a visit to India from Perth, Australia and could not resist indulging in shopping which is easy on her pocket. Alexia says, “I am here for a friend’s wedding and it coincides with the winter sales in Delhi.

Even the branded stuff is available at such cheap rates that I could not stop myself.” While pointing towards her shopping bags, she shares, “I have bought branded T-shirts, tops and bags for myself and gifts for my family and all these at discounted rates, thanks to the winter sales.”