For small businesses, major festivals such as Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, can send sales soaring.
Diwali is celebrated each year in either October or November and signifies the victory of good over evil.
During the celebration, families mark the occasion by lighting candles, watching fireworks, sharing sweets as well as buying new clothes.
This time of the year is also a big business opportunity for traditional Indian garment store, The Saree Shop, located in Harris Park in Sydney’s west.
“During Diwali, it’s basically like Christmas,” says co-owner Uma. “Diwali is a special event, so people like to wear saris and lehenga and other dresses.”
Husband and wife duo, Chandra and Uma took over the shop two years ago from the original owners who first opened the store 25 years ago.
The married couple were born in Sri Lanka, lived in India before migrating to Australia to pursue better opportunities for their two daughters.
Sri Lankan couple, Uma and Chandra took over The Saree Shop two years ago. Source: Supplied
For the couple, the business has continued to build from strength to strength.
“Sari is an Indian garment which has been widely popular for more than 5,000 years today,” says Uma.
“It is a garment that is worn by Indian women every single day.
“Since we took over the business we now also sell kids' garments into it and we brought in more lehengas, salwars, and suits.”
Since taking control of the store, Uma has grown to earn the trust of the shop’s existing customer base.
“My challenges were to provide an excellent customer service and maintain dignity and honesty with them,” she says.
“Most of the time, the customers who regularly bought with the previous owners didn't want to change, what garments will they introduce.
“That was a bit of a challenge, but we've done it very well.”
All the garments at The Saree Shop are sourced from India and cater to the wide variety of tastes in Australia.
The Saree Shop sells kids' garments, lehengas, salwars, suits and sarees. Source: Supplied
“We have Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans, Malaysians, Fijians, and the Arab community; each one has their own choice and taste, so we need to cater to that demand, unlike a store in India, which only sells for an Indian audience,” says Chandra.
Diwali boosts business
Diwali festivals around the country are also growing in popularity.
One of the most popular festivals in New South Wales is held at Parramatta Park in Sydney’s west and has been run by the Hindu Council of Australia for the past 20 years.
“We get around 25,000 people, and we have over a hundred stalls and about 25 food stalls,” says Bhagwat Chauhan, the Vice-President of the Hindu Council of Australia.
“In India and Australia, at this time for small business, it helps a lot because people buy goods and all the sweets particularly.”
For Uma and Chandra, the couple has plans to open another branch of The Saree Shop soon.
“In the Southern Hemisphere, the Saree Shop is one of the biggest,” says Uma
“It is a big business that we have taken over and we are very happy and proud.
“All we want to do is start up more branches and expand the business on a larger scale.”
