15 December,2010 06:34 AM IST | | Varun Singh
Citizens, who rarely get the chance to get the woollens out, are making the most of the cool weather; knitwear is flying off the shelves
With an average winteru00a0 scarcely making you shiver, stores in the city didn't really stock up on the snuggly woollens. And, that is why the ones that followed the weather forecast closely are in for a busy season.
Sellers of knitwear on Parel TT's footpaths are doing brisk business this year
As the mercury dipped to a three-year low of 14.6C on Monday, and the packed locals switched off the fans and shut down the windows, sweaters and mufflers were spotted where umbrellas were being toted less than a month back.
From stores to street stalls, MiD DAY gives you a list of places that will see you through the rare chill. We also found out how the Tibetan collection is competing with branded stores (see box).
High-end store
The Roopam store in Crawford Market, owned by Viren Shah, was a one-stop destination for winter wear. "We keep winter wear throughout the year.
We usually have clients that go on foreign visits so they come in anytime of the year. But things are different this time around.
This Saturday we recorded one of the highest sales in the last few years and most of them were from the local market. Sales of winter wear have gone up threefold," said Shah.
Asked what's selling more, he said, "People are, for the most part, buying socks and mufflers as these are not available in other high-end stores."
High-end garment shops like Pantaloons are also stocking up on knitwear following increased demand for the same.
Zahid Shaikh, marketing head, Pantaloons, said, "There is a demand for winterwear from our customers, so we are keeping the entire range of winter attire from light to heavy."
The chill has brought cheer to migrant sellers of woolen clothes as well. At Parel TT, they claim that a single stall is selling stock worth Rs 4,000 to 5,000 every day.
Dechan, who comes to the city from Dharamsala, said, "Over the last few years, we sold goods worth a few hundreds daily, but business is good this year.
Compared to the last few years, this time the weather is exceptionally good for our sales. People come to us because our goods are cheap yet good in quality."
Incidentally, the business on the Parel TT footpath came to a sudden halt last evening as roads were being dug up.
"We only get a few days to make money. The digging of roads has hampered the business badly. We have been told the work will be over in theu00a0 night and we will start afresh from the morning," said another seller.
Off the shelf
Pantaloons
Jackets: Rs 2,600-Rs 3,000
Scarves: Rs 299-Rs 2,099
Hypercity supermarket
Men's sweatshirts and sweaters: Rs 499 to Rs 599 onwards
Women's sweaters: Rs 499 onwards
Woodland
Collection ranges between u00a0Rs 1,295-7,495
Fashion Bazaar
Men's wear: Rs 299-1,499
Women's wear: Rs 199-1,499
The street price
Their gear, including sweaters, stoles, mittens, hand gloves, mufflers, and blazers, starts from Rs 150 and goes up to u00a0Rs 750
