Rakshabandhan is the onset of the festive season in this year, with on Thursday, has brought cheer to rakhi traders after washout Covid years of 2020 and 2021.
“The rakhi business is part of our association,” said Laxman Aswani, president of the Ahmedabad Cutlery and General Merchant (ACGM) Association. “This year’s sales have crossed the Rs 300 crore mark.” In 2020 and 2021, sales fell by 50% compared to 2019.”
Many retail stores that had never carried rakhi now are selling it this year due to the high demand.
Another significant development is that rakhis are being manufactured in Ahmedabad rather than imported from China, according to retailers and manufacturers.
“This year we are registering brisk sales as people are emerging from fear of Covid,” Khema Nanda, one of the biggest rakhi traders in the Sarangpur area he said, People want to celebrate after a two-year Covid break.”