As the popular saying goes, necessity is the mother of all inventions, it is realised that innovation is the only way to win in the times of a raging pandemic. As the world staggers to re-habituate to a new era of changed market needs and a weakened economy, these Lucknow businesses have jumped right along, with novelty, to survive the realities of the post pandemic world.

Matching masks

Realising the importance of face masks, Topcraft Tailors and Textiles also understood people's desire to wear masks that didn't steal the look of their outfit. As various health experts have already testified that regular cloth masks will suffice as precaution to most of the population, these tailors have taken up the initiative to provide free washable face masks that are identical to the shirts that are stitched. This not only encourages their customers to follow the safety norms, it also makes them come back to Topcraft to add on to their mask collection!

Home grown spices

To avoid the abundance of market products into the sanctity of their kitchen, Swad, a kitchen restaurant that specialises in Mughlai food has resorted to using home grown and seasoned spices. A 3rd party delivering service is also scrapped by them and Swad now delivers food through their own employees ensuring maximum safety and precautions.

Social distancing  set-up

Satguru Kirana Stores in Hazratganj is a single soucre outlet that provides with all the grocery and confectionery needs. This departmental store has set up an arrangement that follows the social distancing to the T! Customers are not allowed to enter the shop and are requested to wait outside till an employee collects their grocery list and fetches their items from the store. Almost are transactions are digital.

2- hour fixing slot

The average television screen time saw an upsurge with the implementation and extensions of lockdwons. Though, not marked as essential, cable services had to keep with the rising complaints of faulty cable lines. A service operator in Lucknow's Subhash Marg started noting complaints online and via call and has fixed a 2 hour slot in the day, with least traffic, to fix all broken lines in the area.

While sanitisers, masks and thermal scanning have become the new normal for most work places, these small ventures have not only complied to that, but also have taken an extra step to ensure safety of their customers. It is, in times like these that local players have gotten a chance to present their true might and with their unique ideas, that don't disappoint!