<p>Deepavali shoppers are finally returning to most of Bengaluru's business hubs after a gap of two years.</p>.<p>Commercial Street, Chickpet, Gandhi Bazaar, Jayanagar and Malleswaram have been witnessing a steady flow of festive shoppers with most businesses saying a majority of their customers have come back. The only exception is Brigade Road, where business hasn't moved beyond 20%.</p>.<p>Commercial Street, one of the major shopping hubs in the city, started getting the business back around Dasara. Several businesses say 100% of their usual crowd has come back. “We had a fantastic season this October and we can say this was our pre-lockdown festival crowd," said Sanjay Motwani, president, Commercial Street Traders' Association.</p>.<p>Business has improved by 50% compared to last year. “Almost 60-75% of pre-Covid business was seen in the last few weeks. We are hopeful that if there is no third wave of Covid, we will be back to 100% business by New Year," said Sajjan Raj Mehta, a trade activist.</p>.<p>As the festive season has coincided with the reopening of schools this year, traders in Chickpet and Gandhinagar are reporting bumper sales in both fashion goods and educational materials, setting up a rare record. "Not just clothes, shoes and jewellery, people are also buying school uniforms, bags and stationery," a trader said.</p>.<p>The festival shopping buzz, however, is missing in Brigade Road. "Brigade Road is almost a dead road. There are only a handful of customers. Business isn't more than 20%," said Sohail Yusuf of the Brigade’s Shops and Establishments Association.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>
<p>Deepavali shoppers are finally returning to most of Bengaluru's business hubs after a gap of two years.</p>.<p>Commercial Street, Chickpet, Gandhi Bazaar, Jayanagar and Malleswaram have been witnessing a steady flow of festive shoppers with most businesses saying a majority of their customers have come back. The only exception is Brigade Road, where business hasn't moved beyond 20%.</p>.<p>Commercial Street, one of the major shopping hubs in the city, started getting the business back around Dasara. Several businesses say 100% of their usual crowd has come back. “We had a fantastic season this October and we can say this was our pre-lockdown festival crowd," said Sanjay Motwani, president, Commercial Street Traders' Association.</p>.<p>Business has improved by 50% compared to last year. “Almost 60-75% of pre-Covid business was seen in the last few weeks. We are hopeful that if there is no third wave of Covid, we will be back to 100% business by New Year," said Sajjan Raj Mehta, a trade activist.</p>.<p>As the festive season has coincided with the reopening of schools this year, traders in Chickpet and Gandhinagar are reporting bumper sales in both fashion goods and educational materials, setting up a rare record. "Not just clothes, shoes and jewellery, people are also buying school uniforms, bags and stationery," a trader said.</p>.<p>The festival shopping buzz, however, is missing in Brigade Road. "Brigade Road is almost a dead road. There are only a handful of customers. Business isn't more than 20%," said Sohail Yusuf of the Brigade’s Shops and Establishments Association.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>