Mumbai: Obama merchandise seems to have
kicked up a frenzy in the city with Mumbaikars flocking to
various stores here to lay their hands on tees and books of
the US President, who is scheduled to arrive on November 6.
"Books on Barack Obama are making good sales, especially
after the news of his visit to Mumbai. Investigative
journalist Bob Woodward`s `Obama`s Wars` is in great demand,"
Nalanda Book Store In-Charge, Mukesh Lalkoom said to a news agency.
This store located at Taj Mahal Hotel in South Mumbai,
where the President is going to stay, has, however witnessed a
drop in sales this week owing to security concerns.
"Due to security reasons, footfalls at the store have
come down this week. Till last week, we used to sell 30-35
books in a week but this week we managed to sell only 20
books. But overall, it is good," Lalkoom said.
Other popular books of Obama that are quickly vanishing
from the shelves include `Dreams From My Father` and `The
Audacity of Hope`, said P M Shenvi, Manager, Strand Book
Store.
This Fort store has witnessed a surge in sale of these
books ahead of Obama`s India visit.
"In the last 2 weeks, the sales have picked up like
never before. It has almost doubled. Earlier we managed to
sell five-ten books but now the figures have shot up to at
least 25 books per day," Shenvi said.
The Crossword store in suburban Andheri is also high on
sales. "Both Indians and foreigners are coming in great
numbers to buy books on Obama," Senior Sales Executive,
Muzaffar Sheikh said.
Interestingly, books on Michelle Obama are also making
sales. "There has been a renewed interest in her books. There
are many takers for books on the first lady of US," he said.
PTI
