Retailers in Crawford Market and its vicinity had to turn several customers away as they hadn’t brought their own bags along. Several shop owners expressed concerns about the effect that the plastic ban was having on their business.
Jenil Dedhia, who runs VK Stores at Crawford Market, said, “I visited the BMC’s exhibition in Worli, hoping to get some clarity, but all I found were stalls selling alternative options.”
Sabir Ahmed, who sells imported perfumes and beauty products, said, “If customers don’t carry their own bags, I will have to send them away. I can’t sell my products in paper bags because the products are heavy. Unless my perfumes are properly wrapped, customers will refuse to believe they are authentic.”
Nitin Wagh, a fruit vendor, said it was impossible to sell fruit in paper bags, as they tear easily. “I have been providing empty mango cartons to customers who buy in large quantities.” On Fashion Street, vendors had stopped providing plastic bags from Saturday. At the street market for books near Flora Fountain, vendors were apprehensive of rain damaging the books.