Patna, Nov. 6 -- Capital city's markets are bracing for a major shopping surge as Dhanteras approaches. From the busy corridors of Boring Road and Hathwa Market to the automotive hubs on Bailey Road and Saguna More, local businesses are preparing for peak festive demand. Jewellery showrooms and car dealerships are already reporting strong footfall and a high volume of pre-bookings ahead of the festival. E-commerce and digital platforms have reshaped festive shopping behaviours, though brick-and-mortar showrooms remain unmatched for high-ticket purchases. Instead of replacing local shops, digital platforms have created an omnichannel shopping loop. To handle the immense rush, stores throughout Patna have ramped up private security, expanded parking escorts, and set up quick-billing digital counters. For shop floors across the city, the celebratory mood reflects more than just annual devotion - it signals a vibrant local economy revving its engines in style. Jewellery retailers across the capital have rolled out an array of festive discounts, ranging from slashed making charges to certified bullion options to cater to auspicious buying. Antique gold sets, lightweight diamond designs, and traditional silver coins are leading customer inquiries. "Pre-bookings this season have surpassed our projections," said Sakshi Tiwari, a store manager at a prominent jewellery outlet on East Boring Canal Road. "Because bullion prices have seen strong appreciation over recent cycles, buyers view festive gold not just as tradition, but as a dependable asset. Many families lock in current rates weeks ahead to avoid last-minute queues, and lightweight festive daily-wear collections are flying off the shelves," she said. Last year saw strong sales momentum, and even with gold prices climbing sharply right now-surging by Rs.6,000 to Rs.7,000 per ten grams in just two days -- footfall remains vibrant, said Mayank Jain from a posh jewellery shop on Fraser Road. Interestingly, rising prices often drive customers to shop more aggressively to lock in purchases, whereas dipping rates encourage strategic investment, he said adding that versatility is playing a major role in buyer decisions this season, with detachable jewellery seeing robust demand since customers appreciate getting multiple styling options out of a single piece. Meanwhile, city automobile dealerships are staging a high-octane spectacle of their own. Showrooms are working overtime to process documentation and line up vehicle stock, aiming to execute hundreds of seamless keys-in-hand handovers on the auspicious day. Compact SUVs, mid-size sedans, and electric vehicles remain in high demand, supported by exchange bonuses and customized finance packages....