Every morning, shopkeepers across Shimla open their stores with hope, but for many, the day ends without relief. Behind the counters, traders are facing a new challenge: competing with e-commerce portals that are steadily taking away footfall and sales.

Small business owners say rising inflation combined with the rapid growth of online shopping has pushed traditional shops to the edge. Chemists note that online medicine delivery has sharply reduced sales, leaving only stores located near hospitals with steady customers.

Mom-and-pop stores report similar struggles. Many say that unless the government introduces regulations for e-commerce portals, their businesses may not survive. “Online shopping is eating into our livelihoods. We need measures to protect small traders, or more stores will close permanently,” said one local shopkeeper.

Jewellers in Shimla are also looking to the Union Budget for support, particularly hoping for customs duty adjustments that could revive demand during the wedding season.

As anticipation builds ahead of the Union Budget, traders across Shimla are appealing to the government to implement policies that rein in inflation, regulate online trade, and safeguard small businesses, warning that without action, the hill town risks losing more of its traditional shops.
(With PTI inputs)