Delhi’s AQI Chokes Businesses As Demand Declines, Meanwhile Sales Of Air Purifiers Rise

The surge in pollution and smog levels has made it difficult for people to step out of their homes and as a result visit to markets, restaurants, and malls have reduced

The severe air quality in Delhi and surrounding regions has started to impact businesses in the national capital city. The surge in pollution and smog levels has made it difficult for people to step out of their homes and as a result visit to markets, restaurants, and malls have reduced.

The spike in the Air Quality Index (AQI) over the weekend led to a slowdown in sales in the city’s major markets, reported Business Standard. Atul Bhargava, President, New Delhi Traders Association, noted, “Weekends usually are good days for us, but we felt the impact of pollution this time, with sales dropping by as much as 25-30 per cent.”

The latest data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that air quality in Delhi touched the ‘Severe’ category on Wednesday, with AQI crossing 400. An AQI of more than 400 has serious health impacts on people and causes various issues such as headache, dizziness, throat problems, etc.

This has impacted the shopping sentiment in the capital across markets. The upscale Khan Market in the city saw sales plummet by 60 per cent in the last 20 days, Sanjiv Mehra, President, the Khan Market Traders’ Association noted.

Mehra added that cafes and restaurants in the market are also seeing weak business. The famous South Extension market has also witnessed a decline in sales by almost 50 per cent since last weekend despite it being a wedding season and a famous market for wedding shopping. 

Open-air restaurants in the city are also losing business. Zorawar Kalra, Founder, Massive Restaurants, operator of brands such as Swan, Farzi Cafe, and Bo Tai, said, “We usually see an uptick during the winter months as people like to bask in the sunlight. However, given the terrible air quality, they are choosing to stay home. Sales at our open-air restaurants are down by more than 20 per cent, while mall outlets are seeing a 15 per cent fall. We are in the process of fitting all our restaurants with industry-grade HEPA filters.”

Meanwhile, sales of air purifiers have surged in the city. Citing Nilesh Gupta, Director, Vijay Sales, the report noted, “We have seen 60 per cent sales growth since last week, but it is all AQI-dependent. People are gravitating towards brands like Dyson, Philips, and Eureka Forbes.”