The shopping centres in the capital particularly the New Market, Gausia, Noorjahan Mansion, Chandni Chawk, Chandrima Super Market, witnessed a huge crowd but most of the visitors ended up in window-shopping-looking into products only not buying.
While visiting some major shopping malls in and around Nilkhet and Dhaka College area on Tuesday the Business Post found a large number of customers unlike some other markets in the capital.
“Many people visited our showroom but still there is no sign of good shopping yet. We are facing huge economic loss during this strict lockdown,” said Md Ruhul Amin, proprietor, Rony Fashion, Noor Mansion.
“Customers are checking out the expensive items but at the end they are preferring to buy the cheaper ones,” he added.
“Sales are still not satisfactory but the number of customers has increased today compared with the previous day. We are experiencing the fall of business amid the pandemic,” said Md Bappy, a salesman of Sinthya Collection, Gausia.
“We are expecting that at the end of the holy month of Ramadan more customers will visit our showroom,” he added.
“Now we are struggling to maintain our business due to a fall in demand amid the pandemic. Our sales have not reached expected level yet,” said Mohammad Babu, proprietor, Mithila Saris.
“A good number of customers buy their product from online. This may be another reason we are not doing well in business. People now mostly spend time in window-shopping,” he added.
“Traders who sell their products online are doing better business than us. Besides, they also get more benefits than us as they do not have to pay Value-Added Tax (VAT) to the government,” said Md Torun, Manager, Rongdhonu Saree.
“Due to the non-availability of public transports many customers cannot visit the markets. Obviously, the number of customers will go up in the coming days,” he added.
“Mainly parents visited our showrooms to buy clothes for their children. I think due to the economic crisis all ages people are not coming for Eid shopping,” said Araf Ahmed Siam, salesman, Sharif Brothers.
“Huge numbers of people are coming today to our markets. In the coming days we will try to overcome our economic loss if the government allows us to do our business till Eid-ul-Fitr,” he added.
“Traders who illegally occupy the footpath are mainly responsible for creating such a crowd in front of the markets. They are getting benefits without paying any VAT to the government,” said Aminul Islam Shaheen, President of New Market Shop Owners’ Association.
“Both the salesman and customers have to be aware of Covid-19 infections in the market. Everyone should follow the health guidelines while they visit any market,” he added.
Earlier on April 4, the shop owners and employees in the New Market and other shopping places in the area took to the street, protesting at the government’s decision to shut down all shopping malls and markets during the lockdown.
Earlier on April 25, Dhaka Metropolitan Police allowed the shopping malls and the markets in Dhaka to remain open till 9:00 pm maintaining the health guidelines.
The government enforced a two-week strict lockdown across the country starting from April 14, aiming at curbing Covid-19 spread.
Crowds in these markets were seen huddling together on the third day of resumption of business. Besides, no health guidelines and hygiene rules are maintained properly in the markets amid the ongoing strict lockdown.
