KATHMANDU: Customer footfall has significantly increased in open markets across Kathmandu, including Bhrikutimandap, as the Dashain festival approaches. The markets are seeing a surge in shoppers looking to purchase new clothes and essential goods compared to regular days.

Ashok Khatiwada, a clothing vendor at the Bhrikutimandap open market, noted that the number of shoppers has been rising over the past few days. He said there is a notable increase in customers purchasing clothes for children, youth, and the elderly. “The number of customers buying clothes is increasing day by day as Dashain approaches. There is more activity in the market since this morning than before,” Khatiwada said.

Another trader, Shyam Prakash Adhikari, attributed the rise in business to the Nepali tradition of wearing new clothes during the festival. “The presence of customers buying everything from clothes and shoes to children’s items and daily essentials has increased at Bhrikutimandap,” he said. Traders believe that customers are drawn to open markets because they offer a variety of goods in one location, allowing shoppers to choose items according to their budgets. These markets are often preferred by families with limited income.

Sangita Neupane, who sells clothes on the sidewalk in Sundhara, mentioned that customers are paying attention to both price and quality while shopping for their families. Additionally, as the weather begins to cool, there is a growing demand for winter clothing. Trader Harikrishna Kandel noted that customers are increasingly buying jackets, sweaters, and hoodies as temperatures drop.

Vendors have increased their stock of various designs and colors to meet the festival demand. Traders expect the customer flow to further increase in areas like Asan, Indrachowk, New Road, and Sundhara in the coming days. Both Kathmandu residents and those visiting from outside districts are currently busy shopping for the festival.