Slice of Life: ‘Online shops have brought down sales at retail stores’
Every person has a story to share. This column puts the spotlight on the people of Chennai, faces we see but rarely interact with — giving a glimpse into their struggle.
By : migrator
Update: 2019-08-21 23:22 GMT
Chennai
I was born and brought up in Chennai, and got married as soon as I completed my post-graduation in MSc Biotechnology. I was a homemaker initially. Though he is an IT professional, my husband decided to open an optical shop here, as many of his relatives have been running optical stores in the city. Being employed full-time, he wanted me to run the shop. So I did diploma in optometry and opened the shop ‘I See Optical’ three years ago.
My two sons are studying in Class eight and two respectively. In the morning, I have to take care of the chores at home, including cooking and packing lunch for the children before sending them to school. I get time only in the evening, which is when I come to the shop. I bring my younger son along to the shop to make sure he studies.
There are many shops opened in the locality, but the real trouble for the business came after people started purchasing products through online. Hence, the revenue has come down in the recent years.
Three years ago, my monthly income was Rs 40,000-50,000, but now I am earning hardly Rs 20,000. We are taking initiatives to improve business such as advertising our optical shop. If I spend more time in the shop, the business will go well. Though there are staff to manage the shop, I feel it would function better if we ourselves look after it.
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