Street Shopping (suhasini Samson)

'When I shop the world gets better and the world is better but then its not, and I need to do it again' -  From Confessions of a Shopoholic by Sophie Kinsella. 

The first thing that comes to everyone's mind when they think of Mumbai is the locals, Chowpatty,  Marine Drive, the street food and street shopping.

According to a survey, 63% of the world’s population believes the best way to de-stress is retail therapy. Mumbai, the fashion capital of India, just knows how to bank on this factor, right from the international fashion stores to our very own Mumbaiya street shopping, this city has it all.

Colaba Causeway, Bandra- Linking Road and Fashion Street are the most popular street shopping places. Though the standard of living in Mumbai has rapidly increased in the past ten years, the prosperous increase of the street stalls around Mumbai shows the peaceful co-existence of street shops and international brands. According to a young college student, street shopping is “Sasta, Sundar aur Tikhao.” The street shopping is a part of Mumbai's lifestyle. Vijay Rathod, 32, Shop owner, says, “We have been in this business since a very long time. We have had a few minor problems but never any dull days,”

Generally shopping is associated with women, but moving beyond that stereotype, you see many men shopping at these places. All the shopping places have become an integral part of Mumbai since almost two decades. Bandra, the so-called Queen of Suburbs, not only has the high end stores but parallel to that is the side walk stalls, which adds to the thrill of shopping.  Apart from Bandra the other places are Zaveri Bazaar, Crawford Market, Chor Bazaar, Fashion Street and Lokhandwala Complex. The plush areas include Breach Candy, Kemps Corner, Warden Road and Napean Sea Road.

Abdul Khan, one of the stall owners, has been at Colaba Causeway since fifty years. He says, “It is an experience in itself to watch new people with new tastes wanting different things and to learn to cater to customers with different likes and dislikes,”

 There is a general perception that shopping is just for recreation and entertainment but in reality its way beyond that, India is the manufacturing hub for all the well known International brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, FCUK, Diesel and Gap. There are a many export rejects that come into the market and these are sold in bulk at very cheap prices to the vendors, who in turn make profits out of it, which supports their livelihood. The business is at its peak during the months of July and January. “Not only the locals, the business is very largely dependent on the tourists, the location being the plus point.” Adds Khan.

These vendors have established their business over the years and feel it is rather difficult for someone new to come to this field. Colaba is a shopping haven, right from clothing material, electronics and imports goods it has everything. Rajesh Shah, 38, who owns a handicrafts stall says, “A lot of foreign tourists like buying handicrafts and also ask me  questions about the craft, They buy souvenirs and gifts for friends and family,”

Shopping in this city is an experience in itself. At the lower end of the spectrum is the vendors and the other side are the branded showrooms. A group of young girls, indulging in heavy retail therapy, said, “The roadside stalls are the best when you want to follow the latest fad and still not burn a hole in your pocket, buying expensive branded clothes.”

Indians are very economical people so street shopping serves the purpose rightly. The best part of street shopping is the bargaining. It is inherent in every Indian to haggle. It is almost like a ritual when you are shopping, a game played between the buyer and the seller. Street shopping is a very important part of Mumbai, with the way the economy is growing, it is a scary thought to imagine street shops being turned into full-fledged shops. Mumbai would be lost and incomplete without its street shopping.