Kolkata: Retailers offer unique discounts to woo customers

Desperate city retailers in their bid to beat recession blues have hit upon interesting methods to woo customers weeks before the festive season kicks in.

A jewellery shop is giving discounts on making charges to customers if they buy Hilsa fish from designated outlets.

As per the offer 'Ilish Khao, Sona Pao', customers who buy Hilsa fish worth Rs 500 from some designated fish vendors would get a rebate of Rs 50 on making charges of gold ornaments.

"We thought of going different this season to bring in more customers. Most of our competitors are offering discounts, but we wanted to stand out from the crowd," a manager of one of the shop outlets told PTI.

The shop had earlier offered free Hilsa to every customer buying jewellery worth above Rs 5,000.

In another interesting offer, a saree shop at Park Street is giving an additional 10 per cent waiver on a general discount of 20 per cent to customers if they enter its premises drenched in rains.

"This offer will encourage our customers to shop without worrying about the rains," shop owner Pradeep Jain said.

Another jewellery shop is offering a discount on making charges to customers who come between 1 and 5 pm.

"Many customers, particularly women avoid the afternoon period as they go for a siesta or watch television programme.

The offer will act as an incentive for them," a salesman at the showroom said.