The pre-Eid sales in the Dhaka shopping hubs is estimated to be declined sharply this year as compared to the previous year due to what shopkeepers think is increase in clothes prices and fear of political unrest.
Thin presence of customers was seen at different markets of the Capital yesterday as compared to the sit-uation until the day before and the mad rush of the second and third weeks of Ramadan – unlike last two weeks of previous other occasions.
The shopkeepers considered that the higher prices and political apprehension have dampened the senti-ment of the customers.
The city’s shopping centers are usually packed two weeks before Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest religious festival for Muslim community, but this year they have seen far less foot traffic.
Amid last minute shopping on Wednesday, unhappy shopkeepers complained that sales had been down by 30% to 40% as compared to last year.
“I used to get more than 100 customers daily during Eid days but now it has dropped to 75-80, which shows the lack of interest,” said Aslam Parvez, head of salesman at East West, a clothing retailer shop at the new market area.
“Garments worth Tk2.7m I bought for Eid sale. But I have sold only of Tk1.5m so far,” he said.
Sajid Khoshru, a tailor, was not busy this occasion as he usually remains during the Eid festivals. “I have received fewer orders to stitch new clothes for Eid. I used to close booking on the 12th of Ramadan due to so many orders, but this year I closed it on the 18th. I got at least 30% fewer bookings,” he said.
In absence of any official or private sector data of daily and monthly sales, traders usually give unrealistic sales picture, especially on Eid season, however.
“Sales were very slow,” said Shoeib Rahman, a salesman at a shop named Richman at a city shopping mall. “You see huge rush of buyers but it does not reflect a true picture of the sales as they are more window shoppers,” he said.
Abdul Samad, a store manager at an electronic outlet, said: “Usually two weeks before the Eid, market remains open till dead night, but this year we shut our shops by 11pm because of security reasons.”
On his sale, he said: “Sales of electronic appliances declined by 40% this year ahead of Eid.”
“People preferred to leave the city before Eid this time to spend more time with their relatives at village home to avoid looming political violence and two days strike beginning from August 13. This might be an-other reason behind the slow sale,” said salesman Milton at Arati Sarees. “Price hike of products affected the shopping spirit of consumers.”
Mohammad Mofiz, a salesman at Sunflower Fashion, said clothes prices had also gone up this year.
For example, an average shalwar-kameez is now priced at Tk500-600 as compared to Tk400-500 last year.
A good quality shalwar-kameez now carries a price tag of Tk1,500 as against Tk1100 last year.
Every festival triggers a shopping spree among people of all income groups, buying clothes for themselves and their loved ones, and bringing vibrancy to economic and business activities.
“But the scenario is different this festival as sales are sluggish,” Mofiz said.
The ongoing dull economic climate in the country, price rise in clothing prices and political uncertainty are other reasons for slow sales, said economist Mamun Rashid.
“Consumers have become more selective and they purchase only required items rather than buying extra items, as they do not have surplus cash in their hands,” he said.
He said many businessmen usually give gift to political leaders before Eid. “But this time political uncertain-ty keeps them away from giving gifts,” he said.
