Eid shoppers throng malls

The city's shopping malls and fashion houses are experiencing a huge rush of customers ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr.

A large number of shoppers thronged Mouchak market and its adjacent malls with their near and dear on Friday to purchase dresses and accessories for the Eid festival. Children also enjoyed shopping with their parents and guardians.

Ismile Mollick, a salesman at Soha Fashion at Karnaphuli Garden City, said considering kids' preference, they are displaying Barbie gown. This fancy wear, imported from China, is selling at a price ranging from Tk 4,000 to Tk 6,000 each.

Mr Mollick said the price of this item is higher in his shop due to its high quality. But its replica is selling in some other shops at Tk 2,000 to Tk 2,500 each.

The shop is also selling women's Barbie gown at Tk 6,000 to Tk 12,000 each, and other floor-touching dresses at Tk 3,000 to Tk 10,000.

Among other customers, Ariba, an eight-year-old girl, came to the market with her mother Sumona Islam.

They visited different shops, but could not find suitable dress, said Ms Islam.

"I am not getting desired dresses within my budget," she said, adding that the traders are demanding high prices showing excuse of quality and design.

Jotey, another fashion house at the same market, is selling tissue, muslin and katan sarees at Tk 3,000 to Tk 10,000 each. It is also selling salwar-kamiz at Tk 2,000 to Tk 6,000.

Md Masum, manager of the shop, said they have also brought lehenga for fashion-loving people, as many women prefer this party wear to celebrate the Eid festival.

But the best selling item for women is salwar-kamiz. Most people are fond of dresses with medium prices and comfortable fabric, he noted.

He added that their sales are going well.

Traders at Centre Point Shopping Mall, Anarkali and Mouchak market are also enjoying their Eid sales, as now people can visit these easily. Earlier, the shop owners faced hard times for long due to construction of Mogbazar-Mouchak Flyover.

Monir Hossain, owner of Fashion Mela at Mouchak, said his sales have increased during the last two years.

"We passed a very critical time for at least five years following construction of the flyover. We lost even our regular customers during the period."

But now the traders of these markets are not facing any problem, as the gathering of customers is gradually increasing, he mentioned.

However, some shop owners expressed mixed reaction, saying that their sales have been declining gradually over the years, as they cannot compete with cheap imported products.

So the authorities concerned should deal with the issue sincerely.

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