Delhi govt mulls 24x7 shops: Restaurants cheer, traders concerned

The Delhi government's proposal to keep shops and markets open round-the-clock is receiving mixed reactions, with restaurants optimistic about growth, while traders flag concerns over costs and safety

As the Delhi government reportedly mulls permitting shops and markets across the city to remain open round-the-clock, trader associations say the move will help business, but perhaps only marginally, as they may not get as many customers in the late hours as they do during the day.

 

Some restaurant owners said such a policy will help drive revenue growth as people may venture out instead of getting food delivered. However, retailers flagged the financial impact, saying cost of operations may rise for keeping shops open 24x7, which is unlikely to get compensated if footfalls are minimal at night. Some also highlighted the need for better policing to ensure safety of customers, who may venture out in the late hours.

 

“We don't see people in the shops during the day itself as a lot of them are now shopping online. We don’t see this reversing in the night, also because people wouldn’t feel safe shopping at night. But for some smaller traders and even eateries, this could turn out to be a boon,” said a member of a South Delhi market association on condition of anonymity.

 

Trader associations further highlighted the need to improve the law and order situation in the city to make this change a success.

 

“While it is the government’s decision, there are a lot of steps that need to be taken before such a policy can be implemented in the city, with the biggest roadblock being the law and order situation in the national capital,” said Atul Bhargava, president of New Delhi Traders Association (NDTA).

 

The NDTA includes traders from the 14 blocks of inner and outer circle in Connaught Place, Regal and Rivoli buildings, Scindia House, and Old Janpath market. 

 

Bhargava pointed out the presence of “illegal hawkers”, which will go up if the operational hours are extended.

 

“To ensure smooth operations, the government will have to ensure enough police personnel are present in the night, so that people feel safe enough to step out in late hours,” Bhargava added.

 

Echoing similar sentiments, Sanjiv Mehra, president of Khan Market Traders Association, said that extended hours could lead to an increase in hooliganism on the streets.

 

Mehra further pointed out that the new policy, if undertaken, will lead to increasing costs for establishments.

 

“Not just for the safety of people, a lot of shops will end up paying more for electricity and additional labour costs, even though we believe that footfall will not increase dramatically in the night,” Mehra added.

 

He further pointed out that the move could lead to exploitation of labour as owners might not make space for an extra shift and make employees work for longer hours.

 

However, restaurant owners have welcomed the thought, stating that while people might not step out to shop at night, they will definitely step out to eat.

 

“I think restaurants can be a big beneficiary of the move and the policy will help us increase our revenues. We could do a lot more in the extended timings and have offerings like a midnight buffet that will help the patrons engage more with us,” said Payal Verma, director of the Blue door café at the upscale Khan Market. 

Round the clock

 

Stakeholders believe this policy will drive revenue growth, as people may venture out instead of getting food delivered

 

Many believe that better policing is paramount for this policy to be a success

 

For some smaller traders and even eateries, this policy could turn out to be a boon

 

The menace of “illegal hawkers” will increase if shops are open 24x7