City fashion houses see sales bonanza

Following an abrupt drop in sales induced by the Covid-19 pandemic in the last two years, local clothing brands and retail sales have turned around this time, doing brisk business targeting Pahela Baishakh and Eid ul-Fitr.

Traders say they are enjoying a bonanza sale of the Bangalee traditional clothes, mostly Panjabi and Saree, bought to celebrate the largest cultural festival.

As the pandemic has ceased to bare its fangs and infection rate came below one per cent while the country recorded zero death, people are on buying spree to observe the first day of Bengali New Year today.

Large crowds were witnessed in fashion houses during a visit to different areas in the capital on Wednesday.

Traders were happy that their business gained momentum because of the two largest festivals taking place consecutively.

“The shoppers were mostly buying Punjabi, Fatua, Salwarkamiz, Saree, Kids Wear, Cosmetics, Footwear and Ornaments,” they said.

Talking to The Business Post, Shaheen Ahmed, president of Fashion Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh, stated that their sales volume became double compared to what

was in the last two years ahead of the festivals.

Due to the pandemic, fashion houses incurred a huge loss in the previous years but this year the situation is totally different, he explained.

“Due to Eid ul-Fitr most of the traders did not focus much on Pahela Baishakh sale. However, we are happy to have positive responses from consumers,” according to the trader.

Around 50 per cent sale is made during Ramadan ahead of Eid ul-Fitr and 25 per cent for Pahela Baishakh.

Md Saddam Hossain, branch manager, Le Reve at Mirpur-1, said, “Shoppers of different ages are flocking to our showroom to buy clothes both for Eid and Pahela Baishakh.”

Mehedi Hasan, assistant manager, Gentle Park, a fashion house, said this year fashion houses have collections of a wide range of new clothes to cope with the demand.

“We are offering discount for our products too. We are happy about the presence of customers before Pahela Baishakh,” said Mr Hasan.

Artisan Manager Kamal Hossain said they are offering new collections at their outlets to attract fashioholics this year and are receiving positive feedback as well.

“I am looking for Baishakhi attire, and in this outlet different designs and colours within my budgets are available,” opined Saleh Mohammad Adnan, a customer at Aarong outlet in Bashundhara Shopping Mall.

“On the occasion of Pahela Baishakh, I usually prefer locally designed clothes. Their prices depend on the quality and the designs,” he added.

On the other hand, shoppers, especially lower middle-income groups were also seen crowding into the fashion houses and shopping malls across the city including those in New Market, Gausia Market, Mouchak Market and other roadside shops in the capital.

“We have a huge collection of Sarees and people of all income groups are our target customers in this festival,” said Mohammad Babu, proprietor of Mithila Sharees at Gausia Market.