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Trident shopkeepers offer discounts
Trident shopkeepers offer discounts
By: Urvashi Seth
Date:
2008-12-21
Place: Mumbai
With their stores closed for a month, owners are now charging lesser rates to lure patrons
For the past five days, shopkeepers inside the Trident Hotel have seen no customers. Today's reopening ceremony has given them a ray of hope. They have designed offers to lure patrons to make up for the loss in business. Since the terror attacks at the Trident, shop owners will offer 10 to 20 per cent discount.
Nalini Tiwari, manager of Shantivijay Jewels Ltd, fears less business even after the Trident reopens. "It's been no income for a month now and we are unsure about foreign tourists coming into the hotel. We will try to woo in guests by offering discounts of 10 to 20 per cent," says Tiwari, who has been working there for the past nine years.
Others like Arif Mukati, who has a 15-year-old jewellery shop at the Trident, echoed Tiwari's emotions. "Both our outlets at the Oberoi and the Trident were shut. We may work out a few discounts once we start," he says.
Tasneem Ranijiwala, assistant manager of Loccitane Boutique that sells gift items, is eagerly waiting for the hotel to reopen. "I have received a number of calls from my regular clients. We are hoping to get good business ahead. We may come up with some discount offers," says Ranijiwala.
Prayers to mark reopening
Addressing the media, president of the Trident Hotel Rattan Keswani said that the hotel would hold a private prayer meet on Sunday in memory of those who died.
25 crore insurance advance
The damage to the Oberoi is to the tune of Rs 40 to 50 crore, while the Trident suffered a damage of around Rs 40 to 50 lakh. The group has received Rs 25 crore as an advance from one of the insurance companies for rebuilding and recovery work.
