Several main streets such as Jalan Tengku Kelana, Jalan Dato Hamzah and Jalan Tengku Diauddin are best known for textile shops.
This area has established a reputation as the shopping paradise among the Indian community.
People come from as far as Penang and Johor and the area also attracts customers from Singapore.
While most of the traders have come to terms with the stiff competition especially with the price war that is going on among them, some have adopted new strategies to promote their goods.
At least, two outlets have gone bold by introducing fixed prices for their items.
Plenty to choose from: Customers are spoilt for choice with hundreds of designs to choose from at the Chennai Silk Palace. Men’s Choice properietor B. Thiyananthan said his business had been good as the outlet was the only one that offered 100% men’s wear.
He said his outlet sold formal and casual wear, tops and traditional attire such as kurta and Sharvani suits.
“We also have shoes, head gears and a branded collection.
“Men can always find something special for themselves here,’’ he said, adding that all items at the outlet was going on a 10% discount for Deepavali.
Thiananthan said the fixed price concept had also made his outlet hit among customers.
R.M. Silk manager B. Muthukumar said the customers especially the young ones like the fixed price concept as they felt a lot time could be saved from bargaining.
Intricate: Maheswary (right) promoting a Mangatha suit to a customer. “Customers will be happy as they know everyone pays the same price which is reasonable,’’ he said.
At other outlets, customers can be seen engaged in intense bargaining to lower the price of goods,
Gayathiri Silk Sarees Palace director R. Maheswary said customers enjoyed bargaining even when some items were offered at a minimum price.
She said the trend had not changed and the customers were happy paying for what they felt was the right price.
Maheswary said business picked up late this year as many customers rushed to do last-minute shopping.
“We have a wide range of items from low, medium and high range and the popular trend are Mangatha and Kaanchana Punjabi suits.
“We also have a new consignment of sarees,’’ she said
A long way from home: R.Muralitharan, 30, with daughter Dishalini, 4, wife Sangiddha, 28, (right) and mother-in-law Shanmugavalli, 50, (left) came from Medan to shop in Klang. He said sarees made from pure silk, silk cotton, Kancheepuram silk were among the hot-selling items.
“Young women can choose from a variety of Punjabi suits, tops and suits,’’ he said, adding that they also have a good mix of items for men.
Hare Krishna Silk’s B. Harekrishna said they had a collection ranging in price for people of all ages and gender.
“We have dinner sarees from RM500 to RM5,000 and a wide variety of Punjabi suits,’’ he said.
