Srinagar, Sept 10: With Eid cards attracting little customers, traders here complained 80 per cent decline in the sales of the greeting cards.

 “The demand for greeting cards is almost nil on this Eid. We used to sell over a hundred cards on every Eid, but this time hardly 10 or 15 cards have been sold,” said Javaid Ahmad, proprietor, Beauty Corner at Hazratbal, here.

 Many shopkeepers said in 2008 when SMS services were snapped in the state in the backdrop of Amarnath land transfer row, the sales of greeting cards had increased manifold, “which, however, is not the case anymore.”

 “After SMS services were banned last time, the sales of greeting cards had increased by as much as 70 per cent, but this time it’s entirely opposite,” said Tariq Ahmad, a salesperson at a gifts shop.

 Consequently, the traders said, they had not placed any order for fresh stocks. “We would order hundreds of cards of different designs and categories ahead of every Eid and other such occasion. However, presently whatever cards are available at our shop, they are out of previous stock,” said Tariq.

 Even customers did not seem enthusiastic about greeting cards. “I would purchase many greeting cards on every Eid, but this time I have not, not even one,” said Sana Mushtaq, a B Sc student, adding that it did not “behove to go with such elations when are witnessing around teenagers being killed day in and day out,” she added.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 11 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 12 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST