With the lingering effects of demonetisation and the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), retail and wholesale traders have taken a hit with the festive season not coming to their rescue. Although considered the most auspicious time of the year for all kinds of shopping, this year both traders and consumers are feeling the heat of GST as reportedly sales have nose-dived by 36 percent in comparison to previous years. Nonetheless, most of the shoppers did not shy away from buying new clothes, especially in the rural regions, where festivities are the only time a new pair of cloth is purchased.
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