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Rasheeda Afreen, a resident of Azimpur, got surprised when a salesman at Shohag Fashion in the capital’s Noor Mansion asked additional Tk100 within a span of 24 hours for the dress she chose for her 3-year-old son on Friday.
When asked about higher bargain price, salesman Rashid (not his real name) said that the price will go up more if she waits for a few more days.
“As every day we are receiving a new lot of clothes, the prices are shooting up,” he added.
Rasheeda said the price of this dress she chose was merely Tk500 last year, but its price increased by Tk100 this year. “Now the salesman is asking Tk700 for this dress today (Saturday),” she said.
Jannatul, a student of Dhaka University who was buying a t-shirt from the footpath of Dhaka New Market said, “Usually, we buy this t-shirt for Tk100 or Tk120. Now they (salesmen) are asking as much as Tk200.”
Many other customers doing shopping in the new market areas echoed the same, saying that this situation is compelling them to replan for their shopping this year.
Generally, from low income people to lower middle class or middle class people do shopping in new market areas such as Noor Mansion, Chandrima Supermarket, Chandni Chawk Shopping Complex, Gawsia Market and Dhanmondi Hawkers Market.
They said the prices seemed to be 25-40 per cent higher as compared to the previous year. In some cases, it seems double the prices.
“During visit to these markets, sometimes I feel that these markets are also going out of low income people’s shopping destinations,” said Salman who came from Mohammadpur.
The three-pieces sold at Tk1,200 last year are now selling at Tk1,600-1,700. The prices of three-pieces increased to Tk1,500 from Tk1,000, Tk2,700 from Tk2,000 and Tk6,500 from Tk4,500, the shoppers said. The three-pieces are more densely designed that also increased the price of the clothes, sellers said.
According to the sellers, the customers are mostly looking for Punjabi, saree (Kanchipuram, katan), imported three-pieces and children’s clothes.
Sales are lower in comparison to the customers visiting the markets but it is increasing in the last two days and they are hoping higher sales from next Friday and onward.
Delwar Akon, proprietor and fashion designer of Even, a punjabi shop in Chandrima market, said that the prices of raw material go up due to dollar price hike and the current inflation forces them to increase the prices of Punjabis they are selling.
“If people want to get quality products, they will have to spend more this year,” he added.
Proprietor of Miss India, Md Amanullah Swapon said that the prices go up as import cost has increased by almost 30 per cent. “However, till now sale is nearly reasonable for them as most of exclusive dresses have already been sold.”
The buyers who opted for newer but aligned with traditional dresses believe to show up from next Friday, he added.
Owner of Laboni MH Swapon, a wholesaler of sarees, said that a lot of people are coming here but leaving the shop with discomfort over the prices.
“We merely have room to reduce the price drastically. We are hoping to recoup the losses we have suffered in the last two years but it seems like although we might have a good sale this year, the losses will not be covered,” he added.
General Secretary of South New market Shop Owners Samity Hazi Abul Khayer said that the customers they are expecting ahead of Eid festival are yet to come to the markets.
“In the time of inflation, it is difficult to sell more products but yet they are hoping that they can cover the losses they have incurred in the last two years,” he added.
