Bilal Bashir Bhat
“Eid was always a magical time for children, and my store was filled with excitement. Now, parents are buying toys online, and the festive spirit in my shop has diminished. It’s been a tough adjustment, says Omar Majeed a toy store owner in Srinagar.
Our markets have undergone a seismic shift in recent years due to the rise of online shopping. This change, though simple for many, has profound implications for local economies and our social fabric.
With Eid-ul-Adha just a few days away, Srinagar markets are not seeing much of a stir. Due to this the shopkeepers are facing huge losses.
There is no doubt that online shopping offers unparalleled convenience. With just a few clicks, consumers can compare prices, read reviews, and get goods delivered to their doorstep. This digital revolution, however, comes at a cost.
The once-vibrant marketplaces are bustling with activity during Eid. However, in recent years, online shopping has imposed a curfew on these activities. This decline is not just an economic problem, but a cultural problem eroding our neighborhoods’ unique character.
Fewer shoppers at markets means less revenue for local businesses, affecting employment rates. Retail jobs, often the first major employment opportunities for young people, are shrinking.
While the impact of online shopping is undeniable, it is not insurmountable. There are ways for traditional markets to adapt and thrive alongside their digital counterparts. Adopting technology can be part of the solution.
Sajad Andrabi, a textile shop owner talking to Onlykashmir.in stated “Eid shopping was a tradition for many families, coming together to buy fabrics for new clothes. This year, the market was eerily quiet. The rise of online shopping has taken away a lot of our business.”
Local businesses can establish an online presence by offering e-commerce options to complement their physical stores. Consumers also have a role to play. By making a conscious choice to support local businesses we can help maintain the vibrancy of our markets.
While the rise of online shopping has undoubtedly changed the landscape of our markets, it is not the end of them. The challenge is to balance the convenience of the digital age with the invaluable social and economic benefits of local markets.
