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Like new dresses, new shoes are one of the most popular products during Eid season. People from all income groups look to get a few pairs of shoes ahead of the biggest Muslim festivals. This year, however, the scenario is a bit different for branded shoe sellers as consumer spending is shifting towards cheaper goods amid declining purchasing power.
According to branded shoe sellers in the capital, sales have declined by 25-30 per cent during Eid-ul-Fitr this year compared to last year.
The situation is somewhat similar for big non-branded companies. Although their sales are a bit higher than branded com-panies, they are struggling to make a good profit.
Sellers said many people have lost their interest in new shoes on Eid because of reduced purchasing capabilities. People are now more interested in buying low priced shoes. As a result, a portion of branded shoe buyers have switched to non-branded shoes at lower prices. Also, a portion of people who bought shoes last year, have skipped buying shoes this Eid.
Visiting different markets in Elephant Road, New Market, Bashundhara City, Rajdhani Super Market of Dhaka on Monday, this correspondent found out that Bata, Apex and Janis and other brand shops are not crowded with customers. Sellers claimed that there are no buyers as expected even on public holidays.
Hafiz Khan, store manager of Bata outlet in Elephant Road, told The Business Post that sales were much higher last year even amid the Covid-19 pandemic. “Our sales are 25-30 per cent down this year.”
He said, “Usually, around this time, the outlets remain swamped by buyers. We barely get time to talk to anyone.
“But this year the scenario is different. There are only seven to eight days away before Eid but there is not much of a crowd of buyers. The situation is more or less the same for the whole market.”
The situation is not much brighter for big non-branded shoe companies..
Visiting various shops in the capital on Sunday, this correspondent saw a little crowd in some shops, but not as expected during the Eid season.
Ibrahim, manager of Cartier shoe store in Elephant Road, said, “We expected that sales would be better this time without the Covid-19. But shoes are a luxury product and people are buying the bare minimum to fulfil their basic needs. Hence, also sales have suffered.
“Our shoe sales have decreased by 30 per cent compared to last year. Most of the people walk into the store and look for cheap shoes.”
The same situation could be seen in other markets.
Vendors said even though people are buying shoes for Eid, they are also keeping the weather in mind. Due to excessive heat, open-toed and light leather slipper type shoes are preferred by boys and girls. Parents are buying more clothes and shoes for children.
However, especially after office hours, footpath shoe shops were seen to be more crowded than usual.
On Monday, a huge crowd was seen at the shoe shops in front of various markets including Rajdhani, Gausia, Nur Mansion.
Talking to The Business Post, Alamgir, a seller in front of Gausia market, said, “Most of our customers are women. A fire broke out in the nearby market days ago, forcing us to stop our business for a day. But sales are now going at full speed as before.
“We have cheap priced shoes. People come to our stores to buy affordable shoes. So the sales are not bad, we are selling as expected.”
