Mohammad Nahian
Shopping malls in the capital did not see a sizeable turnout of shoppers on the first hours of resumption of business after a strict lockdown imposed by the government to curb the spread of Covid-19 infections in the country.
Low customer turnout was witnessed in Shyamoli Square Shopping Mall, Muktijoddha Super Market, Mirpur New Super Market and Mukto Bangla Shopping Complex in the capital till noon on Sunday.
Super shops namely Prince Bazaar, Shwapno and Agora did not see regular traffic of customers on the early hours of resumption of business.
“Al though we have been able to resume operations, customer turnout is very low. I am expecting it to increase in a couple of days,” said Md Masud Rana, Assistant Branch Manager, Gentle Park, Mirpur branch to The Business Post.
“We already missed Pahela Baishakh sales but are hopeful of a good business ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr,” he added.
“Many customers now-a-days prefer online shopping which is another reason for this low turnout,” said Md Roman Ullah, a salesman at Agora.
He however informed that their super shop was operational even during the lockdown.
Traders however expressed their gratitude towards the government for allowing shops, markets and shopping malls to reopen ahead of Eid.
Meanwhile salespersons were seen taking health measures while opening their shops while visiting various malls in the capital on Sunday. Customers were seen wearing face and maintaining social distancing while shopping.
The Bangladesh government enforced a two-week strict lockdown across the country starting from April 14, aimed at curbing Covid-19 transmission.
Later the government decided to allow shops and malls to reopen from April 25 and operate between 10am to 5:00pm everyday.
