January 1: It’s New Year’s time and just a few years ago the gift shops use to remain packed with people, buying greeting cards. The situation now is different – the gift shops in the capital wear a somewhat deserted look as it wait for customers. The sale of greeting cards has really plummeted, in some stores the sale is next to nil.

Owners of the gift shops told BBS that business has been declining compared to the past years. They say with internet and mobile phones, the traditional form of sending greeting cards is dying out fast.

A shop in the heart of the town use to record high sales of between Nu. 7,000-8,000 a day during special occasions like the teachers day, friendship week, the Christmas or the New Year. But this time, the owner says her sales are nothing more than Nu. 1500-2000 per day.

On the eve of the New Year’s BBS also followed some youth around gift shops who did not purchase a single card. The reason being- its much convenient, easier and cheaper to send e-greetings and SMS.

Meanwhile, BMobile recorded close to 450,000 SMS between 12 mid-night to 9 am this morning. While Tashi Cell saw over 35,000 SMS New Year greetings.