Chandigarh, March 14 -- With the festival of colours right around the corner, the tricity is immersed in Holi celebrations, but it's a different story at the shopkeepers' end.

This year, the city is recording a subdued shopping season, with retailers reporting lower-than-expected sales in terms of Holi accessories. Despite introducing an array of innovative and attractive products, such as movie-themed water guns, cricket-themed accessories, water gun goggles, colourful wigs and face masks, demand for these goods has remained dull.

However, while sales of Holi accessories have been underwhelming, sweet shops are thriving, with gujiya emerging as the top choice of the season.

The demand for sweets, particularly gujiya, jalebi and imarti...