Rain dampens shoppers\\\' craze

Nonstop rain disrupted Eid sales at shopping centres and fashion houses in the city on Saturday.
Customers were thin at the shopping centres as several roads were flooded with water. So many traders passed time leisurely due to the shoppers' absence.
Rain had a negative impact on Saturday sales, said Khorshed, a salesman of Bombay Fashion at Gausia Market.
"As it was the weekend, I expected a large number of customers in my showroom. I did not get the same as the customers could not come for shopping due to intermittent rain," he said.
Mr Khorshed said he sold wears valued at only Tk 7,000 on the day. It was Tk 45,000 on Friday. If the rain continues, he feared he will lose the peak season this year as he sells unstitched shalwar kamiz, the trader said expressing frustration. Usually unstitched women's wears are sold in the first 10 days of Ramadan, he pointed out.    
Nazmul Khan, proprietor of Jui Fashion at Twin Tower Concord Shopping Centre at Malibagh area, said his sales were cut by at least 50 per cent than those of the previous day following heavy rain.
"I sold dresses of Tk 80,000 on Friday and it is Tk 40,000 Saturday," he added.
Although he displayed new wears to attract customers, they could not enter the market as the road was flooded by water, he said. Monir, owner of Lady, another fashion house at Bailey Road, was of the same opinion and said he was waiting all day long for customers, but he got only seven in his shop.
He hoped the weather will remain good in the coming days. The local fashion house has brought in its collection dresses that are priced between Tk1200 and Tk2000 each.
On the other hand, some traders at the Bashundhara City said that there was no major impact on their sales because of rain. The buyers with cars had no problem in coming to the market as there is a parking facility. The area also is free from water logging.
A salesman of Niyam Collection, kids' dress seller at the Bashundhara City said his festival sales are going well. He has displayed high-priced imported baby items at prices ranging between Tk 5,000 and Tk 65,000 each.      
Shah Alam, secretary general of the Bangladesh Dokan Malik Samity, said due to rain, traders incurred loses all over the country.
"As it is the peak season, weekend is very important for big sales," he said.
Mr Alam also expressed the hope that the traders would do well in the coming days. "As it is the beginning of Ramadan, traders will get several weekends in the remaining days of the month".
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