Sale of blankets, warm clothes gaining momentum in city

With the advent of the winter sale of warm clothes and blankets has started gaining momentum in the capital.
Customers, mainly the limited income group of people, thronged different makeshift shops in Gulistan, Ramna Bhaban, Baitul Mukarram and GPO areas on Friday to buy warm clothes at cheaper rate for their near and dear ones to protect them from the winter cold.
Different types of used (Secondhand) sweaters and jackets were selling at reasonable prices, and a good number of customers were found buying warm clothes on the holiday.
"I have come here to buy sweaters and blankets for my family members as the prices of those products will rise when the winter will appear in its full gear," Md Anwar, a private service holder told the FF in Baitul Mukkarm area on the day.
Traders said they had been selling different sizes of sweaters with competitive prices that ensure only their marginal profit.
"I sell different sizes of secondhand sweater between Tk 350- Tk 500 with a profit of just Tk 50 per piece," Md Haroon a trader in GPO area told the FE on the day.
On the other hand, different brands of blanket, mainly imported ones from China and Korea have wider demand among the customers due to their quality and price competitiveness.
Makeshift shop traders said the prices of different brands of imported blankets are cheaper compared to those at different shopping malls and posh markets.  
They said that limited income group people, particularly the lower middle-class prefer to buy blankets from makeshift shops in front of different markets mainly Baitul Mukkarram and Gulistan areas.
Traders at makeshift shops in front of Baitul Mukkarram, Purana Paltan and GPO areas said that they sell blankets of good quality.
They also said they purchase blankets directly from the importers like shops owners at different city markets.
"We have been selling blankets at cheaper rate compared to the shops at malls," Md Barkat, a blanket seller in Baitul Mukkarram area told the FE on Friday.
Traders said they had sold a substantial amount of blanket last year, and expressed the hope that the sale of blanket would be increased gradually once the winter arrived in full swing.
"I sell on an average Tk 20,000 to Tk 25000 per day. I believe the amount will increase substantially in the coming days," said a trader in front of GPO area.
The prices of Chinese brand blankets such as Koyo, Maxon, Dolphin and Kangaro (200 x 200 cm size) ranged between Tk 2,200 and Tk 3,000.
On the other hand, Korean brands such as Golden Bear, Safron Silver and Solaron of the same size, were selling at Tk 3000 to Tk 5000. Small sized (110 x 140 cm) blankets were sold between Tk 1500 and Tk 1800.
There is also a high demand for locally produced blankets among the limited income group of people. Per piece of local blanket is sold between Tk 450 and Tk 500, according to the traders.