City traders start selling warm clothes, blankets

Traders in the capital have started stockpiling as well as selling warm clothes and blankets, as the winter is now knocking at the door.
Different makeshift shops in Gulistan, Baitul Mukarram, Ramna Bhaban, Purana Paltan, GPO and Sadarghat areas have started storing blankets and various warm clothes, such as - sweaters, jackets and blazers, for selling to customers.
Traders said they have already started selling these items, but the sales are still insignificant. Sale of winter clothes and blankets will get momentum from next month, they added.
Customers, mainly from the limited-income group of people buy warm clothes at cheaper rates from the city's makeshift shops for getting warmth and protection during the winter.
Visiting Sadarghat area on Friday the FE correspondent found different types of sweaters, jackets and blankets were being displayed for sale.
"I bought sweaters and blankets for my family members, as the prices of these products will rise when the winter will appear in full gear," Abdul Aziz, a private sector service holder, told the FE in Sadarghat area.
Traders said they sell sweaters of different sizes at competitive prices, making marginal profit only and considering interest of the limited-income group of people.
"I sell different sizes of used sweaters at prices ranging between Tk 250 and Tk 300 by making a meagre profit of just Tk 50 per piece," Nurul Hossain, a trader in Gulistan area, told the FE.
Different brands of blankets, mainly imported from China and Korea, have wider demand among the customers due to their improved quality and competitive prices.
The limited-income people, particularly those belong to lower-middle class, prefer to buy blankets from makeshift shops in front of different markets in Baitul Mukarram, Purana Paltan, GPO and Gulistan areas.
Makeshift shop traders told the FE that like the shop owners at different city markets they purchase blankets of different brands directly from the importers.
Because of low cost in doing business they can sell these blankets at cheaper rates, compared to their prices at different shopping malls and reputed markets, they also said.
"We have been selling blankets at cheaper rates compared to the shops at malls," said Babul Sikder, a blanket seller in front of GPO.
Traders said they sold a large number of blankets last year, and hoped that the sale of blankets will gradually increase this year once the winter arrives in full swing.
"Last year I sold blankets amounting to Tk 20,000 to Tk 25,000 on an average per day. I believe the amount will increase substantially during this winter," said Abdul Qudus Mian, a trader in Gulistan area.
The prices of each blanket (200 x 200 cm) of various Chinese brands, such as - Koyo, Maxon, Dolphin and Kangaro, range between Tk 2,200 and Tk 3,000 in the makeshift shops.
On the other hand, the prices of blankets of Korean brands, such as - Golden Bear, Safron Silver and Solaron, of the same size range between Tk 3,000 to Tk 5,000. Small-sized (110 x 140 cm) blankets are between Tk 1,500 and Tk 1,800.
There is also a high demand for locally-produced blankets among the limited-income group of people. Prices of each local blanket range between Tk 450 and Tk 500 as well as between Tk 800 and Tk 1,000, according to their size.
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