Pre-GST rush: Price hike buzz triggers mad scramble

With the historic launch of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) at midnight just a few hours away, people are making a dash to shops, which are trying desperately to clear stocks and woo customers with attractive discounts. Here's a look at the frantic rush to stock up on goods before they become dearer from tomorrow.

QUICK FIX: Ahead of the GST rollout, the public is trying to learn what's in store for them, post-July 1. An air of uncertainty fills the air as major changes are expected to impact the economy. IN PICTURE: a store at Commercial Tax office in Coimbatore  

GST-READY GOVERNMENT: BJP Prime Minister Narendra Modi's cutout outside the BJP headquarters to promote GST in New Delhi on Friday. (Shekhar Yadav | Express Photo Service)

TRYING TO STRIKE GOLD: Sales tax @ 1.1 % for gold has been replaced with 3 % GST, making the yellow metal costlier. Shop owners have even offered small discounts to release existing stocks and lessen the burden while migrating to GST. IN PICTURE: Women at a jewellery store in Thiruvananthapuram buying affordably priced collections. (BP Deepu | Express Photo Service)

HOME SWEET HOME NO MORE: The GST will have a bearing on most household-related products from home furniture, mattresses, interior decoration items ,and more. IN PICTURE: Public busy in buying home appliances by exchanging their old ones, in Vijayawada. (P Ravindra Babu | Express Photo Service)

TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY: GST rates on automobiles differ from vehicle to vehicle, leaving buyers in a dilemma on whether to buy a car immediately or wait till July 1. IN PICTURE: Here's a customer who's decided to skip the wait. (Photo: Jithendra M| Express Photo Service)

CHEAPER? COSTLIER?: IN PICTURE: Footwear shops looks empty, owners says it is the GST effect. (Photo: Vinay Madapu | Express Photo Service)

OLD IS GOLD, TILL MIDNIGHT TODAY, THAT IS: TV, A/C, washing machine, fridge, mixie, grinder...like the popular advertisement goes, are all set to become valuable. Hurry, exchange them for new! IN PICTURE: Pre-GST offers at electronic show rooms in Hyderabad. (Photo: Vinay Madapu | Express Photo Service)

SHUTTING SHOP: Not all traders are looking to make quick sales. IN PICTURE: In places like Vijayawada, several shopkeepers have shut shop in protest against GST.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING LIKE TOO MANY CLOTHES: Bengaluru's Commercial Street traders sure seem to know this, as can be seen in this picture. (Photo: Pushkar V | Express Photo Service)

PRECIOUS ESSENTIALS: Tomatoes being sold at Rs 60 per kg in Chennai. There may be a rise in the prices of packaged drinking water and other essential commodities once GST is imposed. (Photo: Martin Louis | Express Photo Service)

SHOP TILL YOU DROP, LITERALLY: On one hand, price hike on certain products can burn a hole in your pocket. But, all is not lost. The change can be quite beneficial to you as well. Until then, happy shopping. IN PICTURE: Discount offers seen outside a small mobile phone outlet in Thiruvananthapuram. (Manu R Mavelil | Express Photo Service)