The 25th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF)-2020 witnessed a rush of visitors on Wednesday ahead of the closing day today (Thursday). Most of the companies gave clearance offer of all kinds of products on Wednesday after the start of the country's biggest trade fair on January 1.
People of all ages, especially teenagers, were found thronging the fair amid much enthusiasm and showing good responses in buying different products, including cookeries, cosmetics, clothes and jewelleries. The fair premises witnessed a rush of female customers, in particular, who preferred to buy fashion items and home appliances.
Most of the clothing and cosmetic pavilions were jam-packed while the same scenario was found in furniture, food and beverage, and electronics pavilions with a huge of buyers. Sales of different items, including cosmetics, winter clothes, household appliances, jewellery, handicrafts, dairy products, food and groceries, gift items, toys, stationery and plastic products has marked a rise from last couple of days, said stall owners.
Billal Hossain, manager of Iranian Store, told The Bangladesh Post they brought in different varieties of products like spices, they are famous for, side by side melamine, garment items, shoes, and leather items. He said, “We offer up to 50 percent discount on all kinds of products for clearance sales.”
The jewellery pavilions were overcrowded with female customers of all ages. Harunuzzam, a salesman of Jhumka jewellery, said they were happy over sales of their jewellery of different designs as huge customers started crowding their shop during the last week. Furniture companies are offering up to 35 percent price cut on a total of 300 models of their products.
The furniture makers have also set up a number of display outlets that ooze fashion and modernity in a gorgeous style. Leading furniture makers Partex, Hatil, Navana, Akhter, Regal, Brothers and Delta, to name but a few, brought different types of bed, almirah, wardrobe, door, sofa, drawing table, dressing table, tea table and so on made of wood, plywood as well as board.
Even many companies are offering equal monthly installment (EMIs) facility to sell their products to customers of all income groups. Hatil, a premier furniture company, has displayed several items, including bed, double sofa, single sofa, tea-table dressing table, drawing table, wardrobe, TV trolley and suchlike.
Laila Israt Jahan, pavilion in-charge of Hatil Furniture Company, told this correspondent that they have set the price for the fair with a big discount of 5-15 percent to attract their customers. She mentioned “Hatil has displayed several items, including bed, double sofa, single sofa, tea-table dressing table, drawing table, wardrobe, TV trolley and suchlike.
The electronic companies, including Sony, Samsung, Walton, Vision, Minister, Jamuna and Sharp, have offered cash discount up to 20 percent on TV, freeze and refrigerator products. Besides, one-year replacement guarantee, four-year spare parts warrantee, ten-year compressor guarantee, as well as five-year free home service facilities are available for these products.
Plastic products of different companies, including RFL and Akij, offer up to 30 percent cash discount. Placards containing, “Buy one get three” some fashion houses were seen alluring people on Wednesday ahead of the closing day today (Thursday). The fair venue has also offered food courts and rides for kids. Kids are attracted to toy stores and parents take them for recreation.
Sometimes, little children, especially boys, look feverish with a desire to buy toys in the baby product zone. Many console them with chocolates. Again, girls browse stalls to check out new jewellery and modern finery. Afroja Rahman, who came from Mirpur area, said “We have got the chance of buying various items from the fair.”
She said “I usually buy different types of products from the fair as vendors give big discount on latest products.” She bought many products, including cookeries, cosmetics, clothes, jewellery and toys for their children. The fair will remain open daily from January 1 to February 6 from 10 am to 10 pm. This time the ticket for the fair has been fixed at 40 Taka for adult and Tk 20 for children.
A total of 490 stalls and pavilions, including 68 premium pavilions, 57 premium mini pavilions and 365 stalls with restaurants, will be set up in the fair venue. A total of 20 foreign countries, including India, Pakistan, China, South Korea, Iran, Thailand, the United States, Singapore, Bhutan, Nepal, Vietnam, the Maldives, Japan, Italy, Denmark Russia, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia and Hong Kong, applied for participating in the fair this year.
The major items that are put on parade at the fair venue this time include machinery, carpets, cosmetics and beauty products, electronics, jute, leather and sports goods, sanitary ware, toys, ceramics, fabrics, processed foods, furniture and handicrafts.
Apart from the business stalls, amusement park for children, mother and child center, separate booths and security service rooms for male and female, fire service station, blood donation center, complaint center of the Consumer Rights Protection, power grid sub-station, generation station and space for car parking have been arranged inside the fair compound.
