Gloomy Eid season for small wholesalers amid soaring cost

With Ramadan kicking off last week, the country’s wholesale markets are expected to be bustling with retailers looking for clothes. While that has been the case for some wholesalers, most traders are experiencing a slow sale due to rising production and living cost.

According to traders in the capital, wholesale garment markets usually have a peak sale period of 45 days from 15 days before Ramadan till Eid-ul-Fitr. Most of the sales happen during the first 30 days, when retailers buy goods from the wholesale market to display for Eid shoppers.

But this year, sales are yet to gain pace even with nearly half of the peak period already passed, when almost 50 per cent of the total sales are expected to be completed.

Traders said last year, sales suffered due to the impacts of the Covid-19 and economic volatility. Hence, many had expected a boost in sales this year. That has not been the case so far. Most of the wholesalers, particularly small traders, are experiencing a similar or lower sales compared to last year.

They blame the increasing cost of living for the low sales as consumers’ purchase capacity has decreased. At the same time, due to the increase in the price of raw materials, the production cost of the fashion houses has also increased slightly, which in turn increased product prices.

Visiting the Aziz Super Market at Shahbagh in the capital recently, this correspondent saw cartons of clothes made by various local fashion houses including pants, shirts, Punjabis and pyjamas in front of various shops. Retailers were buying products at some stores. Some fashion houses are also selling products through couriers by taking orders over the phone.

“Wholesale sale of various clothes started right after Shab-e-Barat. Some orders are still coming in. Today a retailer ordered 20 Punjabis and 80 pyjamas from us, which will be sent to him by courier,” said Md Rabiul Robi, a salesman at Sui Suta fashion house at Aziz Super Market on Monday.

However, he added, “We had hoped for more sales at the beginning of Ramadan. But the sales have been the same as last year, with only some 10 days left for wholesale sales.”

Zakir Hossain, assistant manager at Plus Point in Aziz Super Market, said, “Sales were normal since Shab-e-Barat till Ramadan began. But now sales have dwindled.

“Last year, our collection was not small, resulting in lower sales. But this year, we have collections of 18-20 types of clothes. The amount of clothes is also much more this year. We are hoping sales will pick up before the peak season ends.”

Compared to last year, product prices have also gone up.

“Product prices at both retail and wholesale level have increased slightly. The pants that we sold at Tk 1,350 last year, are being sold at Tk 1,550 this year,” said Md Rifat, sales officer of Muad fashion house at Aziz Super Market.

Meanwhile, traders at different markets at Sadarghat and South Keraniganj said sales are lower this year compared to last year.

“Currently, it can be said that sales are going through a recession. The cost of living has increased tremendously due to the surge in the prices of daily commodities. In this situation, buyers are thinking more about essential products. Clothing is a luxury product, so its sales have naturally declined. But still we have 15-20 days in hand, hope the market will be good,” said Md Suman, proprietor of Sifat Hosiery and Garments in Sadarghat Hawkers Market.

Emdad Hossain, owner of Himel Garments in Keraniganj, a wholesale shirt selling business, said, “So far, we have not received any big order from retailers. But last year these buyers bought more products for retail sale. Retailers are monitoring the market and buying fewer products.”