It is countdown to Diwali day and we see and read about a shopping surge everywhere. Shop owners starved of customers through the Covid-induced lockdowns, and considerably less spending power given that the virus has led to job losses, salary cuts and overall economic devastation, are hoping for a last-minute swell.

One cannot realistically expect spending to go back to the pre-Covid days, for a number of factors but retailers are optimistic about making up for some of the dry months that have preceded this season. We do also witness some crowds around markets and especially around roadside shopping as last-minute buys take place ahead of the festive week.