Baramulla, Mar 11: In the holy of Ramadhan, the business activities normally surged across cities, towns and villages in North Kashmir. While markets used to remain lively late into the night as people purchase essentials, clothing, and food items.
However, this year traders in Baramulla say the situation appears markedly different, with many businesses witnessing an unusual slowdown. Shopkeepers in several markets say sales have declined significantly compared to previous years. From grocery stores to clothing outlets, readymade business, traders report fewer customers and reduced spending. “The business is at the lowest ebb. Most of the shopkeepers are worried over the slowdown of the business,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a local business man.
For many elderly shopkeepers who have been running shops since decades, the changing nature of commerce has made survival increasingly difficult. Several such traders say they are unable to cope with the growing dominance of online shopping platforms and modern retail trends.
“Business is not what it used to be,” said an elderly shopkeeper in the town who has been running his readymade business for last over 20 years. “People now prefer ordering things online. For small shopkeepers like us, it is a situation which has hit us hard,” The rapid rise of online marketplaces and discount-driven retail culture has significantly altered consumer behaviour. With e-commerce platforms offering frequent sales and doorstep delivery, many customers are opting for convenience and lower prices rather than visiting traditional markets. Local traders also point to increasing competition, rising costs, and changing consumer preferences as factors contributing to the downturn. Some traditional shopkeepers say they have been forced to shut down their businesses after decades of operation because they could no longer sustain losses or compete with modern retail systems. “This shop fed my family for years. But, things have changed. Now the discounts and online offers have taken away customers and local business is witnessing sharp downfall ,” said Javed Ahmad, a businessman from North Kashmir who recently sold his shop. The economic uncertainty and reduced purchasing power among consumers are also believed to be affecting market activity this Ramadan. For many long-time shopkeepers in Baramulla, however, the quiet markets during what was once the busiest time of the year serve as a stark reminder that traditional businesses are slowly fading in the face of rapidly changing economic realities.
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