Saturday, April 20, 2024
Abdullah Al Masum
Shopping malls opened on Friday, maintaining health guidelines but shopkeepers were frustrated about the poor or no turnout in their business points.
Traders hailed the decision of the government and wanted a lax lockdown to continue their business.
During visits to several shopping malls and outlets in Dhaka city, The Business Post found most malls and shops at New Market, Bashundhara City Shopping Complex and Jumana Future Park open.
For middle class and low-income groups, New Market is the first choice but Friday fewer customers were seen in the market. Gausia Market, which is at a stone’s throw of the New Market, also failed to draw customers through the authorities maintained social distance.
A small number of customers, who ventured out on the popular public holiday, were found wearing masks and sanitising their hands at the gate of the otherwise bustling market.
Rubel, the manager of Beauty Fashion at Gausia Market, said that as it was the first day of relaxation of the lockdown and an hour before Jumma prayers, so a few customers turned up for shopping here.
“But I am optimistic about the number of customers after Jumma prayers as today is Friday,” he said.
Rassel, a trader of al Medina Fabrics in New Market, said that he has done good business so far and customers are also increasing as lockdown is relaxed gradually.
“Some of the customers are window-shopping and they are not buying anything actually,” he added.
Himangshu Saha, a customer who bought a punjabi to celebrate Pahela Baishakh, said, “Though I am expecting the government never imposes lockdown again.”
The shopkeepers of Bashundhara City said that they don’t want such kind of lockdown. “We want to make up for the losses we incurred last year’s 66-day long general holiday by doing business on the occasion of upcoming Pahela Baishakh and Eid-ul Fitr.”
The system for sanitisation at the entrance of the Bashundhara was good but customers were comparatively thinner and the visitors were very careful about health guidelines.
Saiful Islam, a trader in the posh shopping mall, said customers are coming and going but not shopping; I am optimistic about selling goods ahead of the two festivals.
A customer said that as he does not get any costly garments as per his choice, so he did not buy anything.
“I will again come to do the shopping for Pahela Baishakh,” he said.
Another customer told the Business Post they are really happy that they will be able to celebrate the upcoming Pahela Baishakh. For this reason, he has bought a garment.
maam/wi
