Vishal S S (cbedit@imaws.org)
The demand for the bakery industry has been fluctuating in recent years because of the unexpected pandemic situation. The absence of this demand in the market is leading to changes in the business plans for so many bakeries and cafes at Hyderabad. It has been very difficult to keep up the sales even after the post pandemic time for so many bakeries and cafes in Hyderabad.
Pandemic has brought the decline in almost all their markets in every sector. Hyderabad is the city of food, culture and festivals. The roads and famous places are always crowded with food items. It is also the home for many bakers among the scale-scale traders and cafe’s. There were two lockdowns that were implemented during the time of Covid-19. The business and sales of bakeries and cafes were declining during this period as no customers would walk into the store due to fear.
Taking the night curfew into consideration, the situation became even worse as the shopkeepers were unable to sell our products as the customer base for walk-ins had dropped almost by 60%. Apart from this the festival season even during the time of Ramzan and Ugadi could not help vendors as the sales in markets across the city remain nominal. Previously during the time of festivals, people used to step out of the house and walk through the food streets but now that scenario has totally vanished.
Challenges
During the time of the pandemic, the industry was facing very tough situations, this even impacted the closing down of certain businesses due to loss. There were so many employees who were suffering because the salaries were not able to be paid on time and led to the situation of unemployment. Some of the landlords even hesitated to reduce the rent for the shop space. This situation to the extent led to the shutting down of outlets.
“The sales have been very low due to the pandemic, even after the post pandemic people are very conscious of coming out of their home because of the hygiene issues. We are still running the bakery but it is not up to our expectations like before. All the products including burger, pizza, fast foods which are available at our bakery are not in fast movement as the first priority customer expects is the hygiene due to this pandemic”. Says Mr. Murad Manjiyani, Owner, New I’S Café, Hyderabad.
Demand
The last one year has been a challenging time for most people but has changed the lives of some. While many have been suffering pay cuts and job losses, home bakers are making hay while the sun shines. They’ve been doing brisk business amid the pandemic as most people now prefer homemade treats for hygiene reasons over buying these from a confectionery store or eating out. The demand here has been slowly moving to the Home bakers.
“People have accepted the pandemic really well, in terms of food there is gradual growth that is coming up in the sales compared to the pandemic period. People are opting for some of the special dishes like Hyderabad Pothichoru Biryani and that is the demand we are seeing here. Innovations for the dishes are getting more after the pandemic”. Says Mr. Sateesh Polkam, General Manager, Farzi Cafe, Hyderabad.
Lockdown Relaxations
Lockdown relaxations were implemented everywhere in the country for the consumers to attain the essential goods so as to improve the retailers for growing their business. But the demand was constant because people are very worried about their health and still some of the covid-19 cases arise here and there in small numbers. The bakeries and cafe owners fear that there is going to be a third-wave lockdown which will lead them to even worse conditions.
“The sales have dropped down to almost 50 percent of the business. The overall business has come down for us, this is applicable in biscuits, cakes, and other bakery items”. The people are not coming out even during the evening like before. Although there are relaxations in the lockdown, there is no demand from the customers”. Says Mr. T Vijay Singh, Owner, Sangam Cafe and Bakery, Hyderabad.
Third Wave
The economic stages of India are gradually coming back to track after the lockdown. People have started coming out of their houses to have a cup of ‘Irani Chai’ and ‘Osmania Biscuits’ which are famous in Hyderabad. The daily customer counts are average because a lot of people believe the rumors that are being spread on social media platforms.
“The business is leading with only 75 percent and our shop is in the heart of the tourist place at ‘Charminar’ and ‘Makkah masjid’, we expected around multiple customers with different cultures which were approximately around 200 every day. Now it has come around 50 because of the pandemic impact. People are also believing the fake rumors that is being speared in the Social Media” says Mr. Abood bin Aslam, Owner, Nirmah Cafe and Bakery, Hyderabad.
