Amidst the bustling capital’s shopping malls, makeshift shops on sidewalks and open spaces have surged in popularity, attracting low-income individuals and budget-conscious shoppers alike.
From clothing to accessories, these stalls offer a variety of products at affordable prices, drawing crowds eager to snag bargains for the upcoming Eid celebrations.
As the prices are relatively low, especially low-income people throng the sidewalks. These shops have clothing suitable for men and women of all ages. These markets started to get crowded on Friday afternoon.
Shoppers can be seen buying Eid clothes, shoes-sandals, cosmetics, and jewelry.
A large presence of buyers can be seen by visiting the city’s Science Lab, at some markets and footpaths in the New Market area, and the footpaths in the Gulistan area. In these areas, proper walking space is not available due to crowds of people.
Meanwhile, these markets have expanded from Science Lab to Balaka Cinema Hall to Nilkhet Junction, Bata Signal to Kanthal Bagan, and Farmgate Metro Rail Station to Anand Cinema Hall.
In these markets, all the necessary clothes are available for all ages, starting from three-month-old babies. Low-income people are flocking because of relatively low prices. Again, as Friday was a holiday and Eid was approaching, the busyness of the sellers was also noticeable.
Many have come to visit the footpath market again. Even if they do not buy, they look around and see the products. Along with the presence of workers, the presence of students is also quiet.
Punjabi pajamas, shirts-pants, t-shirts, shoes, and children's clothes are being sold in small stalls and vans on the footpaths of Gulistan. Apart from this, Punjabi-pajama wholesale and retail was seen in nearby markets.
Each pant is available for Tk 400 – Tk 600, Punjabi Tk 400 – Tk 500, and shirts Tk 250 – Tk 350. Besides, different types of t-shirts are available between Tk 150 to Tk 300. Children’s Punjabi shirts, t-shirts, jeans, pants, and shoes are available from Tk 50 – Tk 500.
Salma Khatun, who came to the market, takes care of the daughter of a senior female official in an office. She came to the market on leave to do some shopping. He was walking around the sidewalk looking for clothes.
She said, “I buy clothes from here every time. I see many shops and buy one. The price is also low. It's good. I bought two and will buy two more. I will go home on Eid. I have to do some shopping for myself as well as relatives.”
Sadiq Khan was shopping for children on the sidewalk in front of Chandrima Super Shop. He said, “I will celebrate Eid at the village house. I did some shopping. There are also good things to find on the sidewalk which are available at a lower price.”
Solaiman Hossain, a day labourer who came from Ashulia with his wife, said, “There are all kinds of shopping arrangements for the poor. That is why I came. I was in Mirpur earlier. That is why I shop from this market in Mirpur. I am here again.”
Meanwhile, traders say that apart from low-income people, many lower and middle-class people are also coming to their shops for shopping. However, they hope that sales will accumulate if everyone gets paid.
Kausar Ahmed was selling girls' clothes on the road in front of Senpara Parbata Government Primary School in Mirpur. He said, “We are small businessmen. As we sell clothes around the year, we are now selling during Eid as well.
“We get one or two customers here and there. But this can no longer be called an Eid market. Our business is not faring very well.”
Sajib sells T-shirts, and pants at Mirpur-2 footpath. He said, “Other times we sell products worth Tk 20,000 – Tk 22,000 a day. Now it has come down to Tk 14,000 – Tk 15,000. People are spending more to buy daily necessities.”
Blaming the rising inflation, he said, “Not many customers are coming to our store to buy clothes. The shop is empty most of the time.”
The businessmen said they barely make a living with sales other times of the year. But the sales are much higher during Ramadan and the profit is also good. This time, their sales have increased since the last four to five days. The traders are optimistic.
