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For Chennai’s sweetmeat vendors, it is turning out to be a sweet Diwali despite the rising prices.
Venkatakrishnan B, proprietor of online retailer Sweet Karam Coffee, said, “Even though we have increased prices, the demand hasn’t subsided.” The average price of sweets and savouries has increased from ₹450 a kg last year to ₹560 this Diwali season. He expects the demand to remain at 300-500 kg this year as well.
Though the Government is taking steps to reduce the prices of pulses, “We will wait till the situation stabilises before reducing prices,” said Venkatakrishnan.
M Murali, Chairman and Managing Director, Sri Krishna Sweets, said there is no plan to increase prices till Diwali. “One of the trends we are seeing is the rise in spending by companies and households on gifting this year,” he said. The vendor has expanded the gift-box collection to cater to this demand.
According to a source from Adyar Ananda Bhavan, a Chennai-based hotel/sweetmeat chain, “one reason for the high demand is the rise in corporate gifting.”
Stating that the chain uses imported pulses, the source said they expect 10 per cent jump in sales this Diwali.
But it has not been the same for smaller players. Jayakumar NR of Ambigai Sweets, said, “To keep up with rising costs, we have raised prices and even then we may not be able keep losses down.” Jayakumar said that unlike the previous season customers are ordering smaller quantities this time.
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