Delhi's high-street outlets have more footfalls than malls: Report

(Representative Image: AP/Manish Swarup)

High-street outlets in Delhi are recording more footfalls and sales compared to malls, as customers see the former as safer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Markets such as Khan Market and Connaught Place are seeing footfalls at 30-60 percent of pre-lockdown levels, while malls have recovered 15-30 percent, according to a report by The Economic Times.

Moneycontrol could not independently verify the story.

"Up to 70 percent of the footfalls and 60 percent of the sale are back and even restaurants are showing signs of recovery. Except clothing and jewellery, other segments are picking up good," Khan Market Traders Association president Sanjeev Mehra told The Economic Times.

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Malls and markets reopened in several cities in June after being closed for close to four months due to the COVID-19 outbreak and consequent lockdown.

The report said retail level footfall to sales was about 85-90 percent, according to Bharti Realty, which operates high-street markets at Aerocity and Gurgaon.

Another reason for higher sales at high-street markets is that people do not want to venture out of their neighbourhoods.

"In terms of sales, items like electronics and gym equipment are doing good while clothing hasn’t picked up. Delhi has been able to recover faster as it has not re-imposed restrictions while other states have imposed a weekend curfew and other restrictions. Also, public transport is not open so going to high-street is easy," Retailers Association of India president Kumar Rajagopalan told the publication.