Sales at the weekly textile market here remained subdued despite traders expecting an increase in business following the conclusion of the Assembly election and the withdrawal of the Model Code of Conduct.

The weekly market, functioning from Monday afternoon to Tuesday evening, accommodates over 3,000 temporary textile shops spread across Ashokapuram, Eswaran Kovil Street, Thiruvenkatasamy Street, N.M.S. Compound and the E.K.M. Abdul Gani Textile Market near Panneerselvam Park. Permanent textile shops continue operations throughout the week.

Traders had anticipated higher footfall from merchants and buyers from neighbouring States after election-related restrictions were lifted. However, arrivals remained below expectations. “Traders came, but not in the expected numbers,” said a trader. He attributed the sluggish sales to the prevailing summer heat and the ongoing vacation season, during which many families were travelling to tourist destinations with their children, resulting in reduced retail activity.

According to traders, sales are expected to pick up from next week as schools are scheduled to reopen in the first week of June. Parents are likely to begin purchasing new clothes and related items for their wards ahead of the reopening of schools. Traders said sales of cotton garments remained normal during the current season as consumers preferred lightweight clothing. They added that many customers were continuing to manage with garments already purchased earlier in the season, which also contributed to the muted sales trend.