Empty stalls, low sales disappoint traders at State Level Marketing Exhibition

Morung Express News
Dimapur | March 19 

Disappointing sales and low public turnout marred the ongoing State Level Marketing Exhibition at Super Market, Dimapur. 
On Friday as the rest of the population were taking a day off on the basis of Holi, sellers continued to open their stalls at the exhibition. Most of the venue saw a deserted look in the afternoon as empty stalls with little to no customers greeted one at the entrance. 

When this newspaper inquired about how business was going for the sellers, it was met with disappointment and frustration. “We had good public turnout at the opening day, but gradually the number of visitors diminished to an insignificant level in the days that followed,” shared one of the stall owners.

Another one explained that the opening day on Tuesday and Wednesday was good for them. However, the next consecutive days were disheartening. 

“Maybe most people do not have money these days,” said one of the sellers who opened a stall selling local garments at the venue. “The products I sell range anywhere from Rs 100 to about Rs 1200 or so,” she added. 

The sellers also shared that though a total of 42 stalls were supposed to be opened, only around 20-25 stall owners actually showed up at the venue. With several others, purportedly planning to leave in the coming days if there were no positive signs of customer turnout. 

“I hope people do show up in the next few days. We still have about 11 days left so I’m hoping for the best,” said one of the stall owners. 

The 15 day state level marketing exhibition is being organised by the State Office, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Dimapur to encourage the beneficiaries or entrepreneurs who have availed loans from various schemes of KVIC by providing them platforms to promote and sell their products.