3 markets, one reality: Lives behind the stalls of Dimapur markets

Inotoli Chishi and Alpha Rahjone Pukomai

DIMAPUR — A survey of three local markets — Hong Kong Market, Supermarket and New Market — challenges the common perception that business owners are always wealthy. The realities of running a small business tell a different story.

The hidden anguish and suppressed emotions of vendors, craftsmen, retailers and merchants making ends meet are often overlooked. Some customers expect hefty discounts, negotiating to the last penny, even when business owners barely break even or incur losses.

Effects of bargaining

A distraught vendor said, “The customers bargain to the point where the price is lesser than the cost of purchasing from the wholesaler, sometimes remarking that we earn a lot and refusing to buy unless we lower the price. They scowl at us when we refuse to lower the price.”

She also mentioned that she is a widow who is the sole provider in her family and that a limited budget makes it hard for her to give her children the education they deserve.

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Another dejected Naga vendor said, “The non-locals have started to sell Naga foods too, and most of the customers go to them instead of buying from the locals. At this point, surviving with low income has become challenging.”

She also emphasised that unsold goods are either fed to the pigs or given to neighbours as they are spoiled and cannot be sold. Additionally, she mentioned that they earn a profit of only around INR 5 per item, a significant portion of which remains unsold.

Obstacles to business growth

With rising tax, rent and maintenance costs, business owners and street vendors are overwhelmed by slow sales. Most of these sellers are financially strained, working long hours from early morning till late evening, yet remain uncertain about their daily profits.

The merchants expressed concern about hurdles impacting their businesses — specifically unauthorised transport charges by police personnel, fewer customers due to the rise of online stores, heavy rainfall, and neglected road infrastructure. Furthermore, most of them are unaware of government schemes and loans.

“During monsoon seasons it becomes very challenging to transport the goods on time due to landslides on many routes. With the added burden of additional demands by the police and transportation fees, the price of the product escalates,” said a store owner.

Several vendors in Supermarket also expressed frustration over wholesalers who, despite designated selling hours, continue to stay in the area and sell directly to customers at wholesale prices. This practice, they say, leaves little room for small vendors — many of whom are mothers shouldering financial responsibility alone — to make any profit.

“We’ve no choice but to sell at slightly higher rates just so that we can afford a day’s meal, but the customers prefer the wholesalers,” an aggravated vendor shared, adding that they are often labelled as misers when they refuse to lower prices further. She also mentioned that she can sell only on Wednesdays, since on other days they do not get any area for retail.

The owner of a clothing store mentioned that if public preferences or trends change, they try to sell items at a lower price at all costs. Meanwhile, the unsold clothing items from thrift stores are sold to vendors, who then resell them at very cheap rates. However, due to excessive bargaining, they earn less than the expected profit.

With over two decades of experience in the business, the majority of these individuals have persevered despite limited alternative employment options; however, they are now increasingly uncertain about their financial stability due to mounting challenges.

Bhutia run-shops decline in recent years

Known for its quality goods, Hong Kong Market remains a popular destination for locals and many loyal customers from beyond the state. Once dominated by approximately 140 Bhutia families, the number has now gradually declined to about 50. The presence of family businesses has waned as younger generations seek other careers and as online shopping takes its toll.

During a short interaction with Eastern Mirror, a storeowner with three decades of experience, Tenzin, stated that he settled in Dimapur at the age of 1 and joined the family business at 17. He shared the struggles he faced as a teenager, sacrificing to earn and support his younger siblings' education, while being underestimated and judged by other wholesale retailers from other states.

“Those days, as a young boy, it was very tough to buy goods from the wholesalers and my day would end with no purchase. I would cry sitting on the staircase feeling unmotivated but always encouraged myself to never quit so that I could prove others of my capabilities,” he said.

Hong Kong Market stores, during their initial stage, were made up of wooden doors and walls. The complex was recently constructed about a decade ago. With the rise in expenditure for transportation of goods along with increased rent and maintenance fees, many storeowners are unable to gain any profit.

Tenzin mentioned that the quality of goods in Hong Kong Market is better in comparison to New Market, where prices are cheaper. Although the products look identical, there is a gap in quality. He also emphasised that business booms during winter — from November to January. On rare occasions, customers from other states come early in the morning to purchase goods before returning by evening.

“Business is not that profitable during the morning in comparison to the evening, when commuters visit the stores,” he stated.

In spite of the hurdles in his business, Tenzin stood firm in his morale and has continuously donated basic necessities worth INR 9,000 to orphanages in Dimapur on his children’s birthdays. He has been doing this for the past two decades. He mentioned that many children are blessed to receive love and support from parents unlike underprivileged children and that even an act of love from strangers validates the feelings of orphans.

“I am content with my life. I also want to let people know that one should put others before self. Being selfless is one of the key points to being happy,” Tenzin expressed.

(Inotoli Chishi and Alpha Rahjone Pukomai are students of Economics and English respectively at Tetso College, currently interning with Eastern Mirror.)