A recent and noticeable dip in temperature across Kolkata has jolted the city's winter economy to life, triggering a significant surge in the sales of warm clothing and household heating appliances. After a subdued and unusually warm start to the season, the cold winds that swept through the city over the past weekend sent residents scrambling to markets, much to the relief of retailers.
Retailers Rejoice as Shoppers Flock for Warmth
The chill in the air translated into immediate footfall at major shopping hubs. At the historic New Market, customers began arriving in large numbers as soon as the first spell of cold weather was felt. Mohammad Sohail Khan, a jacket seller, confirmed a sharp pickup in sales of items ranging from pullovers and jackets to caps and beanies. He noted that compared to the previous year, the consumer response has arrived earlier, indicating a promising season ahead.
A similar scene unfolded at Bhutia Market near the Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Road–Lenin Sarani crossing, a popular seasonal destination for affordable woollens. Rows of sweaters, socks, gloves, and fleece-lined accessories attracted steady crowds. A veteran retailer with over a decade of experience at the market expressed relief, stating that the drop in mercury provided a much-needed boost to business, which is already performing better than at this time last year.
Heating Appliances in High Demand
The change in weather has not been limited to apparel. There has been a parallel spike in demand for heating appliances, particularly geysers and immersion rods. Appliance dealers on Ezra Street reported brisk sales over the last few days. Arvind Tiwary Baba of the Calcutta Electric Traders Association explained that the demand emerged earlier this year because the weather cooled down sooner than anticipated. Families are proactively preparing for colder mornings, leading to strong sales of water heating solutions. Traders are optimistic about a further surge in the coming weeks.
A Seasonal Shift in Food and Street Culture
The cold wave has also reshaped the city's food habits and street-side commerce. Hawkers selling hot beverages like tea, coffee, and steaming soups, as well as snacks like kebabs, are seeing increased demand, with queues forming at their stalls from Kasba to New Market. Traditional sweet shops have swiftly introduced winter specialties to their displays.
Gourabh Ghosh, operational partner of Sri Krishna Mistanna Bhandar, highlighted that winter delicacies such as Nolen gurer sandesh, gajar ka halwa, and patishapta are already attracting customers eager for seasonal treats.
With meteorological officials forecasting a further drop in temperature after Christmas, retailers across Kolkata are hopeful that the current sales momentum will continue, marking a robust and bustling winter season for the city's markets.
