Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

State gears up for shopping festival

Thiruvananthapuram: Shops and trade centres in the State are gearing up for the 45-day Grand Kerala Shopping Festival (GKSF) that gets under way from December 1.

An initiative of Kerala Tourism, the festival is aimed at attracting consumers by creating a festive mood and offering discounts and mega prizes for the shoppers.

Besides promoting tourism and showcasing traditional products, the aim is to convert Kerala into a shopping destination on the lines of Dubai and Singapore shopping festivals in the next five years.

Kerala Tourism has sanctioned a budget of Rs.15 crore for the premier edition of the festival. Over one lakh traders in the State are expected to participate, Additional Director, Tourism, and Director of GKSF K.N. Satheesh.

Shoppers will get a lucky coupon for every purchase worth Rs.1,000. The coupons can be used as entry passes to the cultural events organised as part of the festival which will conclude on January 15.

Scratch and win gifts on offer include watches and saris. Cars, gold ornaments and home appliances will be given through weekly draws in the 14 districts. The mega bumper prizes awaiting the shoppers include luxury car, villas and holiday packages.

Special festivals and events in all districts, cultural programmes and entertainment events to be attended by cine stars, branding support for every participating shop to distinguish the shop as an outlet of the festival, bumper draws and mega prizes for shop owners and retailers are the other attractions.

In the capital, the festival is being organised by the District Tourism Promotion Council. The forthcoming International Book Festival had also been made part of the GKSF. Mega shows will mark the inauguration of the festival in Kozhikode and the valedictory function is scheduled to be held in the capital in January next year.

A major highlight of the GKSF is that it is not limited to any particular venue. In addition to the outlets in the city, efforts are on to rope in those in Neyyatinkara, Nedumangad, Attingal, Varkala and Kilimanoor.

Retailers can participate in the festival by setting up a stall in their outlet itself. Shops can join the fete by remitting a fee of either Rs.5,000, Rs.10,000 or Rs.15,000. Apart from decorating the participating outlet, promotional materials will also be provided.

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