Sunday, April 28, 2024
Islampur, the country’s largest wholesale clothing district, is witnessing fewer sales ahead of the Islampur-centric wholesale business has been on the decline in recent years as this particular trade gradually shifted to different parts of the country.
The wholesale market of Islampur is yet to witness the usual hustle and bustle of Eid shoppers. Traders have given mixed reactions to this. Some say that the sales are quite satisfactory, while others say that the business is slowing down.
As Eid-ul-Fitr approaches, hundreds of retailers flock to Islampur to buy clothes. Traders said that 60 per cent of their total products are sold during Eid-ul-Fitr. Many people buy clothes from here and distribute them among the poor as zakat.
Islampur has been a famous business hub since the time of nawabs of Dhaka. One can find everything here at a bargain price, from fabrics, unstitched pieces and ready-to-wear garments, to household linens, three pieces, lungis, punjabis, shirts, t-shirts, burkhas, pants, and pajamas.
There is perennial traffic congestion, open drains, and potholes, though crowds are seen thronging every corner of the shops. The traders said the sales started from Shab-e-Barat and had been promising till the 20th Ramadan.
This place offered a variety of local and imported fabrics at very reasonable prices. Obviously, the market was for wholesale buyers but retail shoppers also pay visits here and there.
Rumina, a customer from Dhaka’s Mirpur who came to buy three-piece dresses, said, “I will buy four sets of three-piece dresses for my family. I frequently come here every Eid to buy clothes as the price here is affordable, and there is so much variety to choose from.”
Islampur market meets 60 per cent of the demand for locally made clothes and 40 per cent for imported fabrics. The factories situated in Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Tangail, and Keraniganj serve as the primary suppliers of yards for the traders of Islampur.
Al-Amin, salesman of Top 8 Collection, said, “We are the biggest three-piece wholesale showroom in Islampur. Our three-piece collection wholesale price starts from Tk 790 up to Tk 3200. The price has slightly increased due to the overall economic condition of the country.”
“Mainly we collect our product from local garments as well as imported from India, Pakistan. We have cotton, silk, linen, and mixed cotton products. We mainly sell wholesale, we do retail too.”
According to Islampur Cloth Merchant Association (ICMA), Islampur boasts over 6,000 showrooms within approximately 95 markets, with the count surpassing 10,000 when considering small roadside makeshift shops.
These establishments collectively employ around 65,000-70,000 individuals.
Fariha Tasnim, another buyer, said, “I have found some amazing deals at Islampur's fabric market. From silk to polyester, they have it all at unbeatable prices. The variety is incredible, and I've been able to snag great deals on everything from apparel to home textiles.
“What is impressive is that even the locally produced fabrics here match up to the quality of imports from countries like India, Pakistan, China, Thailand, and Japan.”
A diverse range of imported and locally sourced fabrics, as well as ready-made garments, sarees, lungis, and baby clothes, are readily available here. Additionally, fashion accessories like lace, buttons, and stones can also be found.
Pakiza Fabrics Collection's in-charge Didarul Islam said, "As a big trader at the wholesale hub, we have sold 80 per cent – 90 per cent products that were made on the occasion of Eid. However, the turnover is not the same for other small showrooms."
"We do not even have enough time to talk to the reporters during Eid sales. But this Ramadan is an exception," said Delwar Hossain, manager of New Trina Enterprise at Lion Tower of Islampur.
Naser Uddin Mullah, general secretary of ICMA, said, “Till now, the sale is going well, but after the 20th of Ramadan, it will become slow. This year, our sales have declined by 30 per cent compared to last year because of the economic instability.
“Once Islampur was the hub of wholesale clothes but now there are so many places people have choices to go such as Narayanganj, Chandni Chawk, and Gazipur. People prefer to go there instead of coming to this bustling, congested area.”
Abdus Sattar Dhali, former president of ICMA expresses that businesses are not running well saying, “As the price of everything is higher it has affected us too. Small businesses are facing trouble. People's purchasing power is being compromised, which in turn affects us.”
