With the Eid-ul-Fitr very near, buyers busy purchasing clothes at markets in Khulna city (top) and Pabna district town (below) — FE Photo As Eid-ul-Fitr is getting closer, shopping is gaining momentum in the markets of Pabna, and Khulna districts.
Our correspondent from Pabna reports: Even though people are battered by costlier life for the inflationary pressure, they as preparation for the holy Eid-ul-Fitrare thronging the town's markets and shopping malls to buy attires of their choice for the festival.
Like every year, the demand for local varieties of sarees, three-pieces and punjabis is high this year.
Displays of local boutiques, handmade sarees, three-pieces and punjabis in the shops are drawing huge crowds.
Traders' sources said they hope to sell clothes and shoes worth around Tk180 million (Tk 18 crore) this Eid.
However, buyers are looking for comfortable sarees keeping in mind the hot summer.
While visiting a market, there was seen a huge crowd of women to buy sarees and three-pieces of distinctive patterns and designs on the occasion of Eid.
At the same time, punjabi shops were also seen heavily crowded.
Besides, people were crowding in the market to buy shirts of various types, jeans and gabardine pants.
However, buyers claimed that the prices of all products including clothes were higher this year than last year. They lamented that they could not afford to buy many of the clothes they chose. They found prices of many products far beyond their budget.
Shoppers at the town's Humaira Market told this correspondent that there was no lack of joy among them for the upcoming Eid. They are happy to buy sarees that are affordable and of their choice.
Buyers also said that women's first choice for any Bengali festival is sarees and three-pieces.
And on the occasion of Eid, sarees or three-pieces cannot be an alternative. The appeal for saree and punjabi on Eid will never end. Both these clothes have gained prominence this Eid.
Crowds of the low-and middle-income segments of people in the town's markets are noticeable.
Sellers in shops at New Market, Daibazar Mor Bazar, Kazi Market, AR Plaza and AR Corner Market in the city said that there was not much crowd in the beginning.
The crowd has increased since last weekend (Friday-Saturday). The clothes on sale are of various innovative designs. Keeping in mind the summer heat, supply of cotton fabrics has been increased. Comfortable cotton clothes are selling well.
Idris Sheikh came to the hawker market to buy clothes for children. He said, "We are poor people. We can't afford to go to the market and buy clothes. If not for myself, at least I will buy clothes for my children. I have bought a dress for Tk450 for my elder daughter and one for Tk270 for my son. No problem if not anything for us now."
According to market sources, clothes of different sizes and designs are being sold at the prices ranging from Tk1,200 to Tk 10,000 this year.
Three-pieces are being sold for Tk500 to Tk10,000. Women's clothing is in high demand. The traders said that due to the increase in prices of cloth, sewing cost and wages this time they are keeping Tk300 to Tk 500 higher prices depending on the types of clothes.
Md Rafiqul Islam, shopkeeper also proprietor of Alhaj Super Markert, said, "Our business is with low-income people. As time goes by, sales will increase. We sell products at between Tk500 and Tk 5,000. Out last hope is the low-income people."
Abdur Razzak, secretary of Pabna Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said, "In Pabna district, there are 8,000 general clothing shops with readymade clothes and about 2,000 shoe shops. On the occasion of Eid, clothes and shoes worth more than Tk 180 million (Tk180 crore) are expected to be sold in Pabna district."
Our Khulna correspondent adds: Eid shopping has gained momentum in Khulna city and its adjacent areas, with the shoppers flocking increasingly to the markets to purchase the clothes of their choice.
Meanwhile, all of the main footpaths in the city have been occupied by the floating traders.
Shopkeepers are passing a busy time selling their goods due to the rush of buyers in different shopping malls.
People are purchasing necessary commodities, including clothes, cosmetics and spices, as per their capacity. Shopping goes on until late night every day.
There is an allegation that some dishonest traders are harassing and cheating customers by realising additional money from them in the name of fixed prices.
Traders are realising two times or three times additional prices in the name of fixed prices hiding the original prices, the customers alleged.
While visiting different shopping centres, including Khulna Shopping Complex, Rob Shopping Complex, Safe & Save, Jalil Tower and New Market of the city, this correspondent observed that different qualities of sarees, especially katan and silk, were selling at high prices. Sale of three-pieces declined for the last few days because tailors stopped receiving orders.
Amir Azam Shaikh, proprietor of Bastra Bitan at Khulna Shopping Complex in the city, told The Financial Express that people from different remote villages were gathering for Eid shopping but seeing the high prices many of them got disappointed.
On the other hand, Indian and Chinese goods have flooded the markets.
Indian sarees and three-pieces and Chinese cosmetics and mobile phone sets were selling at lower prices than the country-made ones.
As a result, native clothes, especially those produced in weaving factories, are not selling at satisfactory level, some weavers complained.
Strict vigilance by the law enforcing agencies, especially RAB, has been taken in the markets. Market owners urged the authorities concerned to improve power supply and traffic management system to ease sufferings of the shoppers.
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