Kids’ clothes imported from China and India are dominating the shopping centres particularly Bashundhara City Shopping Complex, Prince Bazar, Muktijoddha Super Market, Mirpur New Super Market in the capital ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
A large number of shoppers, particularly the parents, are choosing to buy Chinese and Indian clothes for their children to celebrate the upcoming Eid amid the lockdown, according to shopkeepers.
“Customers are choosing Chinese and Indian kids’ garments as those look more fancy compared with the local products. Our sales have gained more traction than before. We are getting very positive responses from the customers ahead of Eid,” said Md Golam Sarwar Jashim, proprietor, Dream Fashion House at Bashundhara City Shopping Complex.
“We have very a few local kids’ clothing as scant people look for them. Many children are visiting our showroom along with their parents to buy their favourite garments,” he added.
Many customers, however, expressed disappointment, saying that the prices of foreign products are higher than the local brands. Many shoppers said they are buying foreign products for their children ahead of Eid — the biggest religious festival for Muslims — though they are a bit pricey.
Nikita Setu, a customer at Prince Bazar in Mirpur-1, said that amid the lockdown she along with her family came to buy clothes to fulfil the demands of kids for new couture.
"Except a few domestic brands, most of the local childrenswear are not up to date. Children now like fancy dresses," she added.
“Chinese clothes usually cost Tk 2,000 to Tk 2,500 while Indian ones are less than Tk 2,000. But local kids’ dresses are below Tk 1, 500,” said Md Mozaharul Iqbal Lavlu, proprietor, Kids Rus.
“After the resumption of intra-city public transport services across the country ahead of Eid-ul Fitr, our sales surged more than before. I hope that before the end of Ramadan our sales of children’s dresses will double,” he added.
“We do not want to lose customers as we experienced huge losses amid the lockdown. Currently, we are happy as we can do our business before the Eid festival. The prices of kid clothing are higher than before as the market sees supply shortage due to the lockdown,” said Md Lutfur Rahman Mustafiz, proprietor, Bismillah Trade.
“We are offering discounts on various products to boost sales, considering the terrible trying times,” he added.
Salesmen of various showrooms are expressing their happiness as a large number of shoppers returned before the end of Ramadan. They also said that they are now passing a very busy time to deal with their customers ahead of Eid.
Shop owners said that kids' T-shirts, shorts, Indian sherwani for kids, silk panjabee, and girls’ skirts are in high demand in the Eid markets now. They also thanked the government for allowing them to do their business during this lockdown.
Earlier, the government on May 3 decided to extend the ongoing lockdown until May 16, aiming at curbing Covid-19 spread across the country.
