I like doing business, but currently, my health is not cooperating with me. I have contracted COVID-19 two to three times, so I am very weak now. I have not taken any injections either. I am a volleyball player and still play for 1.5 hours daily. However, my strength is now low, and I find it difficult to drive. I experienced weakness after having COVID-19.
If there is a festival, we have more customers. Otherwise, we only have 5-10 customers daily. After the Corona, the business is down. It was going well before, but now, the work is less. The public does not have enough money, so it is difficult. People are not shopping as they did before. They have reduced their expenditures and are also being careful. When a pandemic happens, we are helpless. The business was going so well, and Corona put a brake on it.
Recovery is happening slowly. My shop was closed for many days. When Corona came for the first time, I was in Rajasthan. I was stuck there for 4 months. I got COVID-19 then. I was here during the second wave. I had Corona for the second time. I closed the shop again for 3-4 months. I lost 25 kg of weight. My condition was so severe that there was no guarantee. I somehow came out of that depression. I have reopened the shop with courage. I have fewer items in the shop now. I am slowly finding my pace. If we are not healthy, then everything is a waste. Both of my daughters supported me a lot. That is why I am here. I was losing weight by 2 kg every week. I thought I would die.
Earlier, business was thriving. However, with increased competition, business has declined. Everywhere you go, there are numerous shops in every lane. This saturation has led to fewer customers for each shop. This was the situation before COVID-19. Now, business is at an all-time low. It's difficult to say for sure. Some claim that business is still good, but it ultimately depends on whether customers choose to visit or not.
I keep some money saved ; you have to do so. Many customers called me during that time for repairs. But I didn’t have space so I couldn’t do anything. After COVID that time was given for to open shop till 5 PM; I opened shop then.
Yes, I have taken a loan of 2,00,000. It's still going on. Yes, it's still going on. I have taken it just now. It hasn't been a year yet. I had a lot of problems after the lockdown. My husband's business was down. I had a lot of problems. I took out a loan. With that, I was able to purchase the stock.
3 years back before corona customer had to carry cash. If his bill is 5,000/- and he is having 4,000/- cash then 1,000/- was left to be paid, then he would come next time and then give me that but now he gives me 1,000/- through Gpay. Now customers also divide the money and do the payment.
I started in 2000 and it was a successful business until Corona hit. However, since then, 90% of people, including myself, have been facing business losses. This is not just limited to my area, but it seems to be happening everywhere. While I cannot speak for the entire country of India, I can certainly say that in Nagpur, Maharashtra, and the places where I conduct business, everyone is experiencing business downturns. Almost all businesses are running at a loss, including shops like Shera suits, as the owner himself has informed me.
Through the apps, I can also get ads made and share status on WhatsApp (TO increase sales in future). During Covid, we ran many ads promoting the availability of sanitizers, hand wash, and paper liquid. There is a software engineer who said, "You do it first, then let me know, and I will make a video for you.”
In the Corona period, people have been using online platforms more frequently, and now this trend is becoming more popular due to the increased prices online. This trend is emerging now, but its impact has originated from the online sphere. People can conveniently stay at home and make purchases online, whereas for this particular product, they need to visit the physical store. I would personally take advantage of this option, and regular customers would also benefit from it. They don't receive genuine products from online sources, so they prefer to visit the shop and purchase the product there. Customers tend to choose any jewelry they come across. The online market is thriving. That has impacted a bit on sale for sure.
Basically, after the COVID-19 pandemic, online shopping has become quite rampant. People prefer to order items online and have stopped coming to the shop. This has affected not only our business but also the clothing and cosmetics industry. Everybody wants to buy clothes online, whereas earlier people used to go to the shop. Currently, there is a lot of hustle and bustle due to Durga Puja. However, after Durga Puja is over, you will not see this crowd. I can say that online shopping has really disrupted our business.
For the past 3 years, the business has been down. Before that it was good. After Corona it is fully dull.