The weather has opened a window of hope for manufacturers and retailers of rainwear in the city, unbearable humidity and the few teasing drizzles signalling it may rain soon. Yet, with lockdown affecting business everywhere, shopkeepers are praying that it rains hard and incessantly so that consumers do step in, even during partial lockdown and restricted mobility to buy rainwear.

A necessity

Rain gear manufacturer Narendra Shah said, “Rainwear is part of the basket of business that has been badly hit. Essentials, non-essentials have been affected. Several retailers have leftover stock from last year, even though we had a robust rainy spell, because of lockdown. Now, that same stock will be sold but we can only hope some ease comes in so that there is more mobility and monsoon gear moves off the shelves. For commuters, especially those on outdoor assignments, rainwear is a necessity, not a luxury, so they will go out to buy it, even if that means going to the store at 8 am. Yet, with work from home prevailing, that segment like some others, is certainly lesser.”