Although about 13 days are left ahead of the holy Eid-ul-Fitr, different markets and shopping centers are currently witnessing massive sales of Eid items amid a huge rush of buyers in Rangpur city.
Despite the global crises caused by the Russia-Ukraine War, buyers are purchasing Eid items well ahead of the holy festivity to avoid last moment traffic jams and unbearable rush amid comparatively hot and humid weather in Eid shopping centres.
Eid shopping has already got momentum at all bigger markets, shopping malls and complexes and makeshift markets amid tight security measures.
President of Rangpur Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Md Rezaul Islam Milon said selling of Eid items is marking a better business following increase of incomes of common people despite the prevailing global crises.
"The business places have worn festive looks with rushing enthusiastic men, women, adolescents, housewives, girls, boys, students and youths and buying items of their own choice," he said.
Rangpur Metropolitan Police control room sources said security measures, special traffic management and monitoring of the law and order situation have been tightened to enable common people marketing without untoward incidents in the city.
According to market sources, prices of clothes for males, females, babies and children are almost 30 to 40 per cent higher this time than the previous years though the increased prices have factually no impact on purchasing capacity of buyers.
Eid shoppers are rushing daily to Rangpur Super Market, RMAC Shopping Complex, City Plaza, Salek Market, Jamal Market, Shah Amanat, Rajanigandha, Station Market, Rajiv Gandhi Market, Honumantola Market, Jahaz Company Shopping Complex, Karupannya, Moti Plaza, Maya Exclusive Fashion House, Adi Janata, Bismillah Garments, Madina Garments, Golden Tower, Rangan, Zila Parishad Biponi Bitan and other markets, shopping malls and centres in the city.
Talking to BSS on Sunday, buyers at different city markets said they were purchasing clothes and other Eid items for babies, children, youths, males and females at higher prices this time than the previous years.
Each of the female three pieces is being sold at rates between Tk 1,500 and Tk 18,000, saree between Tk 1,500 and Tk 40,000, pant pieces between Tk 1,500 and Tk 5,500, jeans pants between Tk 2,000 and Tk 7,000 and shirt pieces between Tk 1,200 and Tk 5,000.
Youths Mominul Haque and Farid Ahmed at RAMC Shopping Complex said they have already purchased shirts, punjabis and trousers of their own choice from a shop in the market.
Begum Rokeya University student Fahmida Begum at Rangpur Super Market said, "I bought a three-piece for Tk 5,000. This time the price seems to be higher than last year."
Lutfar Rahman, a shopkeeper in the market, said, "We are buying clothes at higher prices, so we have to sell at higher prices. As a result, the prices are a little higher this time."
College students Lutfunessa, Meherima, Nasrine and Shelli Begum at Jahaz Company Shopping Complex said they have already purchased their Eid clothes, cosmetics and shoes at 35 to 50 per cent higher prices this year compared to last year.
Couple Abdul Kader and Fatema Khatun came to Honumantola Market and said they purchased Eid clothes and other items for their two children at higher rates this year.
Traders Akkas Ali, Mansur Ali and Harun Ar Rashid at Rangpur Super Market expressed their satisfaction over sales of various Eid items, cosmetics and other goods and hoped that the sales would continue increasing daily till before the Eid day.
Rangpur Chamber President Mostafa Sohrab Chowdhury Titu said traders are expecting a better business as sales would continue to increase till before the Eid-ul-Fitr day despite the global crises as the people's living standard has improved in the last 14 years.
