Featured Market-10: Kolkata New Market, Calcutta

Why You Should Visit? Insights for Small Businesses

If you are born and brought up in Kolkata, then you must have visited this buzzing market countless times. But such is the popularity of the place; even tourists who come to explore Kolkata do not forget to roam across this bustling market area.

This flea market has been a part of Kolkata's heritage. It has witnessed the growth, development and modernisation of the city. Most significantly, generations of people have flocked the market for the last 118 years. New Market has been a valuable component and one of the most precious treasures of Kolkata. No one except the original inhabitants will understand the never-ending love for this market. It is a lively place, brimming with laughter, joy, and positivity.

The historical context of New Market

• New Market was established on Lindsay Street, in the year 1903, under British rule. At that time, it was named Sir Stuart Hogg Market.
• It served as a Victorian gothic shopping arcade during colonial rule by the British.
• Before that, it was a municipal market, established in the year 1874.
• The entire market was planned, highly structured and well-executed.
• Richard Roskell Bayne had been a chief architect of the East Indian Railway Company. The Calcutta corporation hired his premium services to design the place. Since then, people in Kolkata have showered unconditional love for this market region.
• The market is an integral aspect of glorifying the decorated history of Kolkata.

The shopping place was made accessible from 1st January 1874. Rich and affluent colonials loved to shop from this market. Later on, the name Sir Stuart Hogg Market was shortened, and only ‘‘Hogg Market’’ was left behind. The Bengali society fondly called the market "Hogg Shaheber Bazaar." At present, the world knows the place as New Market. However, it was a provisional name in the British era.

New Market – The ultimate place for street shopping in Kolkata

One of the leading markets in Kolkata, New Market, gives hardcore competition to the air-conditioned, modern malls. A large number of people still prefer this street market over high-end shopping complexes. It is believed to be the best market in Kolkata. New Market is not merely a flea market; rather, it is an emotion for the locals. The market is witness to numerous stories and is intertwined with the lives of the Bengali community in Kolkata.

There are over 2000 stalls under its roof. They sell different types of products, ranging from garments, accessories, clothing, crockeries, wheeled luggage to food, raw meat, fish, vegetables, flowers and electronics. It is hard to find something that you won’t get in this market.

Opening hours

The market operates between 10:30 am and 8 pm from Monday to Friday. On Saturday, it stays open till 7 pm. If you are planning to visit New Market on a Sunday, please cancel the plan as the market remains closed on Sunday.

What can you buy in New Market?

If you ask a local inhabitant in Kolkata, he will tell you that you will get everything in the New Market, ranging from a needle to an elephant. Well, you definitely will not get an elephant here. That's just an exaggeration that locals make out of their innate love for the market. In case you have visited the city for the first time and want to pick up souvenirs, head to New Market without any doubt. Other than the 2000 shops, several makeshift stalls have proliferated over time. They surround the market from all sides.

Make sure you get yourself some glass items. They will serve excellently as family heirlooms. Grab a few, and make sure you get them packed carefully as glass products are highly fragile.

This is the best shopping market in  Kolkata, where you can get an assorted range of dry fruits and spices. Get a bagful and gift them during Diwali or as traditional gifts during any wedding or other events.

1. Clothing and garments

You will be stunned to witness the wide variety of elegant sarees, fabrics and garments available. If you are looking for traditional Bengali weaves, for instance, Jamdani, Dhakai, Baluchari, Tangail or Tant, New Market has to be your ultimate shopping destination. Besides, you can also try other Indian weaves such as Banarasi, Maheshwari, Ghicha, Kanjivaram and Bandhni. You must invest in a few of these royal sarees as they will enhance your wardrobe with their grace and regal designs.

Are you looking for Kurtis? Get a plethora of designs like cotton Kurtis with dupattas and chikankari or phulkari work.

2. Junk jewellery

If you are fond of hoarding junk jewellery, then New Market has to be your ultimate choice. Make sure you visit shops like Asian Arts, Karishmaz and Chamba Lama. They will provide you with a plethora of silver baubles. Silver stud earrings start from INR 200, and the price goes as high as INR 2000. Deck yourself up with stunning silver neckpieces worth INR 1500. Beautiful danglers are available worth 500 INR. Silver rings are also available for 200 INR.

3. Food outlets

Grab the tastiest street food of Kolkata in the New Market and enjoy the lip-smacking flavours of various snacks and eateries.

Iconic shops in New Market

• Chamba Lama: This name is quite famous in New Market among jewellery lovers. It is a place that deals in lucrative silver curios. If you visit the shop, enter into a friendly interaction with Sharon. She is the owner of the place and is extremely amicable. Get to know about how this Darjeeling-based family moved to Kolkata almost seven decades ago. Sharon's mother had started the shop.
• Nahoum and Sons: If you are in New Market, do not miss out on the delectable brownies, fruit cakes and yummy tarts at Nahoum and Sons. The bakery had been established by a Baghdadi Jewish gentleman named Nahoum Israel Mordecai back in 1902. Visit the place on Christmas eve, and you will fall for Kolkata. Relish their tasty plum cake. The ambience is old school, with old teak wood cabinets, zinc-panelled ceiling, glass displays. They have maintained a wooden cash register since the year 1916. The recipes they use are old fashioned as well. The ambience will straightaway make you nostalgic for the golden old days.

Top tips to start small businesses in New Market, Kolkata

New Market is not just ruled by big shops. There are many small businesses that have been the lifeline of the New Market. Their budget-friendly rates make New Market the cheapest market in Kolkata. For years they have been running their small shops to cater to the needs of the buyers and earn a living.

They have faced several issues like devastating fires, hawkers protests and municipal restrictions. However, they are going strong and determined. Buyers simply love to shop from these small businesses because of the pocket-friendly rates. Here you can bargain as well.

Here are some of the tips you can implement if you want to start your small business in this area.

• Convert your passion into a fully-fledged business idea: When you convert your passion into a business idea, the chances are that you will be ready to put in more hard work and show greater perseverance despite the odds.
• Gain in-depth knowledge of the market and study well about your target customers: Before investing your hard-earned money and time, you need to understand your target customers, their wants. Also, you need to learn all the rules and regulations of the New Market region.
• If needed, ask for help: If you feel overwhelmed and are unable to take the pressure of new business, do not hesitate to ask for help. There will always be someone experienced who can help you out of the situation.
• Modern problems require modern solutions: Lately, many small traders in the New Market have gone digital to promote their business. The step has been taken to fight the declining sales, owing to the raging pandemic.
• Since buyers are avoiding over-crowded market areas, small traders have taken the help of social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, to market and sell their products. They have even hired digital marketing experts. Video calls are made with the buyers to finalise the sales, and finally, pictures are sent by using WhatsApp. Products ranging from sarees, toys, bed linen, crockery etc. everything has been sold through digital platforms.

In a nutshell

New Market is the heart of Kolkata. It raises a vivid range of emotions among the buyers. The small businessmen are struggling really hard, especially in this devastating pandemic situation. But their indomitable spirit and adaptability are helping them to sustain and develop against all odds. Visit the market if you are in Kolkata, and you will definitely go back home carrying loads of souvenirs, keepsakes and knick-knacks.

Also read:

1) Best Markets in Haryana
2) Best Markets in Tamil Nadu
3) Best Markets in Kerala
4) Best markets in Andhra Pradesh
5) OkCredit: Simple, Paperless & Secure solution for businesses

FAQs

Q. How to reach New Market, Kolkata?

Ans. You can reach New Market easily via buses plying to Dharmatala/ Esplanade or via metro. If you onboard a metro, you need to get down at the Esplanade station.

Q. Is the New Market area open 24*7?

Ans. The New Market area is a place full of buzz and remains open from 10:30 am to 8 pm on weekdays and 7 pm on Saturday. It remains closed on Sunday.

Q. What is the cost of roadside products or items in the New Market?

Ans. Different hawkers or stall keepers charge different rates for various products. Although they are quite reasonable, still bargaining for the best price is the main game here.