Eid sales pick up in Narayanganj

The shopping frenzy centring Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival of Muslims, is in full swing in Narayanganj city.

People of all ages and walks of life are busy buying new clothes as the festival nears. Sales are going on from early morning to late at night in both upscale shopping malls and street-side markets.

According to market sources, Eid shopping began early last month. The traders are elated as sales pick up gradually.

Buyers are thronging Chashara Municipal Market, Kali Bazar, DIT Market and other markets of the city every day. A majority of the buyers are young women looking for new collections of clothing styles.

The clothing shops of Chashara area of the district, Mark Tower, Baily Tower, Shantona Market, Sayam Plaza, Haque Plaza and other markets were the most popular destination for clothes shopping for the residents.

However, several brand showrooms have been opened in the city recently. Customers can now buy their favourite brand of clothes close to home instead of travelling to Dhaka. Aarong, La Reve, Sailor, Grameen UNIQLO, Country Boy, Gentle Park, Raw Nation, Easy Fashion, Solasta, Top Ten Mart, and Belmonte are some of the fashion brands available in Narayanganj.

Also, the shoe brands include Bata, Apex, Bay Emporium and several others also have outlets in the city.

Aarong’s Narayanganj outlet was inaugurated on March 11 on a larger scale at Almas Point, adjacent to BB Road. The same building houses La Reve’s second branch, Sailor, Apex and Bata’s 4th outlet.

Buyers are constantly flocking to these showrooms. Due to so many outlets being close by customers are able to shop comfortably.

Homemaker Esha Akhtar came to Aarong to shop for her family.

“It is convenient to shop in a mall with so many brand outlets. And clothing for all age groups is available in Aarong so I can shop for the whole family easily,” she said.

Sales pick up mostly during the holidays. The markets get more crowded on Fridays and other public holidays.

Ananda Yusuf, a resident of Baburail, was out shopping with his family last Friday. He told The Business Post that they plan on finishing their shopping by the day as it is challenging to manage time out of a busy weekday to shop during Ramadan. Apart from the showrooms of various brands, the city’s Kali Bazar has several large markets for women’s ready-made clothes. Other household items like bed sheets and window curtains are also available in these markets.

“It will get more crowded as the days go by. The tailors will refuse to take new orders as they get busier. So I want to finish my shopping early on,” said Hafiza Akhter who came to buy bed sheets at Kali Bazar.

Meanwhile, the shop owners and employees are spending busy time dealing with the customers. According to the shopkeepers of the city’s markets, this year’s sales are higher than the last two years. Garnet Hossain, the owner of three women’s clothing stores in Baily Tower, told The Business Post, that this year’s sales are higher compared to previous years.

“The market was abuzz with customers weeks before Ramadan began. We are trying to provide clothes as per the demand of the customers,” he said.

Almas Miah, a children’s clothing shop owner at Somobay New Market, said that they are still reeling from the losses incurred during the pandemic. However, as sales pick up, they expect to overcome the losses this year.

Along with the upscale markets of the city, temporary makeshift shops by the roads are also crowded with buyers.

According to the shop keeps, since they do not have to pay a large amount of rent or electricity bills, the street vendors are able to sell clothes at a cheaper rate.

Wahidul, a street vendor, said, “I do business by myself. I do not have any additional expenses like employee salary or attractive lighting. So I can sell clothes at lower prices.”

Even though the profits in such business are low, it has become the source of livelihood for many in the district.

Buyer Rajib Hossain, shopping by the footpath, said, “I cannot afford expensive clothes sold at the brand name stores. I bought a pair of jeans for my son for Tk 450 from a street shop.”

Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection Narayanganj’s Assistant Director Md Selimuzzaman said they are conducting regular drives to ensure that the traders do not take advantage of the buyers.

“If traders take advantage of the occasion and charge extra fees for services or products, strict actions will be taken against them. We are always prepared to protect consumer interests,” he said.