Resort Week in Goa stirs up local retailers

Apart from its sun and sand, Goa is also known for the flea

markets that offer a variety of handicrafts, artefacts and silk fabrics at nominal prices compared to the hi-end boutiques. Every year, during the tourist season, many international as well as Indian tourists throng Goa and its flea markets. But with an event like Resort Fashion Week in Goa and with a number of designer boutiques lining up, local shop owners were sceptical about the future of their business. According to them, the advent of designer stores and fashion weeks in the state is negatively affecting their sales.

International tourists, who rushed to capture a piece of handicraft or jewellery at Mapusa, Anjuna and Calangute Market Square in Goa, have begun asking for the designer labels or addresses of designer boutiques. Over the years, a few fashion designers have opened stores in Goa. For instance, Wendell Rodricks owns two stores in Panaji while Malini Ramani has her boutique-cum-restaurant Congo located in Candolim and Italian designer Pamela Brussati’s boutique Bruga specialises in leather, cotton ensembles. This development is putting a lot of stress on the local shopkeepers. While they understand that such events and labels help in promoting Goan culture and tourism, on the other hand, they are worried about their own business.