Sales at the city's shopping centres and fashion houses have gathered momentum ahead of Eid ul-Fitr with prices of most of the items showing upward trend this year over the previous year.
On Friday, the traders passed busy time in receiving customers. They said they got good response like that of last year. Their sales will further rise from 15th Ramadan, they hoped.
Fashion-loving people are purchasing both local and overseas dresses and accessories according to their choice and capacity.
Although it was a rainy day, there was no major effect on the festival sales. Customers gathered at the shopping malls ignoring rains.
"Our sales are going well like that of last year and it will increase step by step until Eid day," said a shop owner at Eastern Plus Shopping Centre at Shantinagar in the city.
As there is a favourable business weather, the shop-owners will gain an expected level of sales this year, he hoped.
But some traders expressed frustration, saying that their sales still are very poor. Last year they got numerous customers in the first week of Ramadan, they pointed out.
Alam, a women's wear seller at Mouchak market, said he got only eight to nine customers from the morning to 12 o'clock on Friday.
"I have kept in my collection gorgeous festival dresses but I am not getting expected buyers," he said. Justifying price rises, traders said following increased wages, electricity charges and accessories, price has increased slightly varying between Tk 50 to Tk 200.
Shoishob, a kids wear fashion house, has displayed a wide array of dresses for children from zero to 12-year olds.
S M Jashim Uddin, executive officer of its sales and marketing department said they have brought exclusive collection in all of their 14 outlets in Dhaka, Chittagong and Gazipur.
"We do not repeat any design and fashion on our wears and prices also are reasonable. So customers are always fond of our dresses," he said.
The local fashion house has kept in its Eid collection like Projapoti at Tk 850 to Tk 910, party frock at Tk 1200 to Tk 2800, Lehenga at Tk 700 to Tk 1800 and readymade saree at Tk 1175 to Tk 1540 each.
Export quality denim sells at Tk 495 to Tk 590 between boys aged between two and 11 years. Panjabi is priced at Tk 750 to Tk 850. It will bring party shirt also for male kids by 15th Ramadan.
Manik, salesman of Bindu at Eastern Plus Shopping Centre said his sales are good like those of last year.
"As the political environment is stable, we are getting customers at expected level," he said adding that the transaction will increase by the last week of this month as working people will get salaries by then.
He is selling three pieces at Tk 1700 to Tk 2100, tops at Tk 1200 to Tk 1600 and long kurti at Tk 1200. Dynastic Fashion Club in the same market is displaying imported dresses for kids from China, Thailand, Indonesia and India at Tk 450 to Tk 3500 each.
Customers are mostly fond of Indian dresses despite comparatively higher prices than those of other imported wears.
Traders at Polwel Super Market, Gazi Bhaban and Jonaki Super Market also expressed satisfaction over their sales. Al Rifat Fashion at Polwel Super Market has displayed gent's wears like shirt, pant etc for all people of all ages.
Jeans pant for young age group sells at Tk 1600 to Tk 2600 and for children at Tk 1600 to Tk 1800 each.
arafat_ara@hotmail.com
