The barefoot man was selling cigarettes and paan at a small stall

Even today, nearly 90% of India’s retail market is dominated by traditional small-scale shops. But these are not the convenience stores you might find in Japan. Instead, most are humble street stalls or makeshift kiosks, often with little more than a wooden counter and a few crates of goods.

The man in the photo worked at one such shop. With no roof, no walls, it barely resembled what most would call a "store." Yet, for him, this was his shop—his business, his livelihood.

Neatly arranged on a small wooden box, his goods were staples of daily life. But what stood out most was paan, a traditional Indian chewable stimulant made by wrapping betel leaves around a mix of spices, sweeteners, and other ingredients.

Paan stalls like his are a familiar sight across India. Passersby stop for a quick chat, purchase a bundle, and continue on their way. Even in a metropolis like Mumbai, where modern shopping malls continue to rise, these tiny, unassuming stalls remain deeply embedded in the city's daily rhythm.

Despite its barebones setup, this man's stall is a fixture of the urban landscape—a reminder that, beneath Mumbai’s glitzy high-rises and expanding malls, the traditional market culture still thrives.

Each day, he sets up his stall once again, welcoming customers as he has always done, a steady presence in the ever-evolving city.

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