On Dhanteras, Lucknow spent around Rs 1,600 crore, including Rs 800 crore on buying four-wheelers and two wheelers alone.
According to the Lucknow Jewellers’ Association, around 275kg gold was sold in the state capital. These include unbranded jewellery (150kg), branded jewellery (50kg), gold coins (25kg) and gold biscuits (50kg). An unidentified customer purchased a diamond necklace worth Rs 30 lakh without taking the receipt.
“The fear of giving PAN card numbers for branded jewellery made most customers opt for unbranded jewellery since they relay fully on their family jewellers,” said a Hazratganj-based jeweller.
In the real estate sector, about 600 properties were registered on Dhanteras and the state government earned Rs 6.5 crore as registration fee — the highest in a day this year.
The automobile sector also witnessed a boom and most customers focussed on buying high-end cars. Fourteen Audis, 12 BMWs and 12 Mercedes were sold on Friday alone. Besides, mobiles and kitchen appliances worth Rs 20 crore and utensils worth '15 crore were sold in Lucknow.
“After a gap of several years, brisk sales were recorded in the utensil market because people started opting for plastic ware,” said a utensil dealer.
Dry fruits continued to be the most favoured gifts and more than Rs 60 crore were spent on gift packs while the sale of sweets was pegged at Rs 50 crore.
Market analysts feel the implementation of Seventh Pay Commission and payment of salaries on Diwali eve led to brisk buying.
“The mood is upbeat and the dark days of recession are ove,” said economist Dr S. Singh.
