Traders of shops and malls across the country are pinning their hopes on this year's Eid-centric sales after facing losses for the last two years due to the pandemic.
Pahela Baishakh, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha make up the country’s biggest shopping seasons. The traders could not sell products as desired during the last two years as strict restrictions were imposed on shops and malls due to high risks of Covid-19 infections.
However, this year, they are hoping for big sales ahead of the Eid-ul-Fitr.
After visiting a number of markets in the capital, it could be seen that most of them have regained their
old crowded look with Eid-ul-Fitr festival just around the corner. Online purchase of products has also increased.
While talking to Bangladesh Post, Kay Kraft Founder Khalid Mahmood Khan said “People of all walks of life across the country were affected by the Covid-19 crisis. However, people’s enthusiasm, dedication and tendency of shopping centering the festivals are still there.”
Regarding the preparation of his fashion house ahead of the festivals, he said that a moderate amount of new collections has been introduced.
“Many customers who were habituated to online shopping during the restrictions, have returned to the stores but it might take a long time to recover from the losses of the last two years. This year could be considered as the beginning of the recovery from that loss. If we can operate the business like this for the next 2-3 years without any obstructions, hopefully, we will be able to recover from the losses,” he said.
According to market insiders, people started crowding the shopping malls and markets gradually from the first day of Ramadan.
Shwapon Ahmed, the owner of a fashion house in Bashundhara City shopping mall, told Bangladesh Post that the number of customers is increasing every day as Eid is approaching.
“Sales have also picked up. Hopefully, this time we will not have to face the same consequence as the last years,” he added.
A customer visiting the New Market told this correspondent, “I have to complete shopping for my entire family within a limited budget. However, given the prices of clothes and the recent increase in the prices of essential commodities, it appears it would be quite difficult.”
However, some traders are saying that the response from customers is not meeting their expectations.
Alauddin Malik, President of Bangladesh Avhantarin Poshak Prostutkarak Malik Samity told Bangladesh Post, “The number of customers at markets has not reached a satisfactory state yet. Half of Ramadan has passed and we were expecting more rush by this time. We are hopeful about not incurring losses this year but the Eid-centric sales might not meet our target.”
He further mentioned that the people of the country have been affected by the Covid-19 crisis to a great extent.
“Although the pandemic has subsided, the increasing price of essential commodities is forcing customers to re-evaluate their purchasing power and demand,” he added.
