CHATTOGRAM, Mar 21: Eid shopping has peaked up in the port city of Chattogram as Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the major religious festivals of the Muslim community, is drawing nearer.
Shopping centres here have been illuminated to woo potential Eid buyers as the tastefully decorated malls have changed the nocturnal view of the city.
Some markets have already declared discounts, money-off coupons and lotteries for Eid shoppers buying shirts, pants, panjabis, saris and salwar pieces.
The Chattogram Metropolitan Police stepped down stern security measures to maintain the law-and-order situation for Ramadan.
On weekends, shoppers used to throng malls and markets. Besides, their numbers keep increasing at night. After iftar, buyers used to visit markets to buy their necessities and special Eid attire.
The FE travelled to dozens of markets and found shopping centres and small shops in the city jam-packed with Eid shoppers on Friday.
A large number of customers, male, female and children alike, crowd marketplaces to buy clothes of their choice ahead of the Eid celebration.
New Market, Mimi Supermarket, Afmi Plaza, Finlay Square, Sanmar Ocean City, Amin Centre, Central Plaza, Reazuddinbazar, Chackview Market, Moti Tower Market, Keari Shopping Complex, Singapore Market, Laki Plaza, Aarong, Chattogram Shopping Complex, Taribazar, Hawkers Market, shopping centres at GEC Intersection, markets at Chattogram EPZ area and markets at Bahaddarhat are attracting most crowds.
The shopping centres have remained busy from 10:00 am until midnight in the last few days. It will continue until the moon-sighting night before Eid, according to market sources.
A large number of makeshift shops as well as fashion houses in almost all localities in the port city have sprung up and are crowded with customers.
Afmi Plaza, Central Plaza, Mimi Supermarket, Ocean City, New Market, Lucky Plaza and Taribazar are favourite places for women from middle-class families for their Eid shopping.
Female customers browse multiple shops to buy dress like saris, beauty products and cosmetic items.
Besides, Hawker Market and footpath hawkers are the only source for Eid shopping for poor people.
However, traders regret poor sales despite a heavy customer turnout, citing that sales have dropped to 50 per cent than last year's.
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