Although one week is left before Eid-ul-Fitr, shopping malls as well as markets in Barisal is yet to see huge rush of shoppers.
Shoppers blamed a budget crisis created by price hike of the commodities and bad weather for the dull sale in Eid shopping.
Saidur Rahman Rintu, president of Barisal Chamber Of Commerce and Industries, said buying capacity of the common people has fallen because of price hike of essential commodities and economic recession.
Sheikh Abdur Rahim, owner of Moyuri Departmental store, said last week they had expected that customers would throng market after getting their salaries.
Shukkur Mia, a hawker who sells dresses in front of the Barisal district council, said “Eid shopping is yet to get momentum in the city. There are many shoppers, but very few buy clothes.”
Mahbub Hasan, a shopper who was visiting Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hawkars Market yesterday, said he usually tried to finish his shopping within the second week of the Ramadan to avoid huge rush, but downpour forced her to stay at home.
After visiting Chawk Bazar, Katpatty, Hemayetuddin Road, Fazlul Huq Avenue, Bogura Road, Sadar Road, Bazaar Road, Port road this correspondent found that almost all the city’s shopping malls and markets experienced good rush, but least sale.
Although huge numbers of shoppers are crowding in the city’s shopping malls, the grand sale yet not started, said Ali Haidar, a salesman at Venus Shopping Complex of the city.
Many shoppers did not step out of their houses because of inclement weather, said Mosharraf Hossain, owner of a shop at Haji Muhammad Mohsin Hawkers’ Market.
“Customers are taking idea about price and dress and also knowing fashion trends,” said Ali Ahmed, owner of a dress house at Chawk Bazaar market.
The prices of women and girl dresses are ranged from Tk1,500 to 30,000.
However, dresses like short and long Panjabi for male, including young men, teenage boys dominates the market with price tags from Tk800- 4,000.
The price of goods now comparatively higher than in the first half of Ramadan, said some customers.
The market would be over crowded and price will also be up on last week of Ramadan.
“Usually at least 20 to 25 percent increase in price was expected and affordable,” said Rokeya Begum, a housewife roaming in the market.
