As the vibrant and joyous festival of Diwali approaches, families across Fiji are preparing to celebrate the Festival of Lights with enthusiasm and splendour.
Diwali is a time of love, togetherness, and giving, and the tradition of exchanging gifts and decorating homes adds to the festive spirit.
However, amid the excitement and festivities, we must remember that responsible consumer behaviour should be at the heart of your Diwali preparations.
The Consumer Council of Fiji encourages consumers to “Shop early during Diwali season,” and in this article, we’ll explore why this advice is not just timely but crucial.
From the council’s experience, shoppers usually do not start Diwali preparations until the week of Diwali.
While it is recommended to begin preparing for such festivities early, there is still adequate stretch to thoroughly plan and allocate enough time to responsibly do your shopping and other preparations.
One of the most significant benefits of shopping early during Diwali season is the opportunity to avoid the chaotic last-minute rush.
In the final days leading up to the festival, stores are often crowded, and essential items may run out of stock.
By shopping early, you can secure your preferred gifts, decorations, and supplies without the stress of long queues and the risk of empty shelves.
Why should consumers plan and shop NOW?
During such festive seasons, when consumers leave their shopping for food, decorations, and gifts until the last minute, there are problems that may occur:
- Last-minute shopping often leads to impulse shopping and therefore overspending.
- Consumers may become less vigilant and shop around less, hence doing less comparative shopping for good quality items at fair prices or even end up buying expired or near expiry products.
- When consumers do last-minute shopping online, they run the risk of not having their items delivered on time.
Furthermore, even when shopping early, consumers must be alert and ensure that they get the best deals and quality products.
Better bargains and discounts
Retailers typically offer attractive Diwali discounts and promotions well in advance of the festival.
By shopping early, you can take advantage of these deals and save money.
The council emphasises the importance of comparing prices, checking for authenticity, and ensuring that any discounts offered are genuine.
More thoughtful gift selection
Shopping early gives you the time to carefully select thoughtful and meaningful gifts for your loved ones.
Avoid the impulse purchases that often accompany last-minute shopping, and instead, consider the preferences and wishes of the people you’re buying for.
This way, you can make your Diwali gifting more personalised and memorable.
Spreading the financial burden
Diwali can be an expensive time of year with costs associated with gifts, decorations, and feasts.
By shopping early, you can spread out your expenses over a more extended period, making it easier on your budget.
Avoid the stress of overspending and enjoy a financially stress-free festival season.
In a recent effort, the council has also worked to shed light on hire-purchase agreements and loans.
We strongly advise consumers against taking out substantial loans amounting to thousands of dollars, unless it is truly indispensable.
It’s important to remember that while Diwali festivities are temporary, the burden of repaying such loans can linger for an extended period, far beyond the season’s end.
Reducing environmental impact
Another essential aspect of responsible consumer behaviour du
