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Have money, will spend

Onam finds customers in the splurge mode

SHOP TILL YOUR DROP Mega shopping spree

Cashing in on the Onam fever are business establishments of all kinds as they tap into the `have money will spend' attitude of most customers.

Purse strings are loosened as many splurge on textiles, a must for Onam, and white goods. The festival allowance granted by the Government, private and public establishments fuel this shopping spree to a certain extent. A small percentage of people spend this amount to take a break while an even smaller percentage save the amount for a rainy day.

Shopping list

However, for most people Onam is the season to go on a mega shopping spree. While buying clothes for the family is a common denominator, other items on the shopping list range from white goods and books to vacations and a facelift for the house.

For instance, both Hariharan S. and Manu Thampy G.S., State Government employees, plan to spend on clothes. But Hariharan, a bibliophile, adds that he would also spend a good amount on books.

On the other hand, people like Sivaramakrishnan R and A.V. Mohan plan to buy white goods such as refrigerators, televisions and so on.

Says Mohan, deputy manager, Kerala Financial Corporation, "I might buy a flat television and DVD to replace my 10-year old television." Instead of following the path of consumerism, M. Subramanian, an employee of Hindustan Latex, plan is to visit Tiruchy, his hometown.

Similarly Anil Kumar S, accounts manager, Overseas Development and Employment Promotion Consultants, is all set for a vacation away from the city.

He says, "As Onam means holidays for the family, we are taking off for a vacation."

Roshini Thankachy is heading for Guruvayur. She prefers to spend her allowance on pilgrimages to various temples in Kerala.

REMA SUNDAR

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