The last-minute shopping across the city gains momentum as the Eid shoppers pour into different malls in large numbers.
Restriction has been imposed on traffic movement across the main commercial areas of Chawkbazar, Katpatty, Line Road and Bazar Road areas to facilitate shopping from morning till late night.
The lower- and middle-income groups were seen scouring the hawker markets, footpath and makeshift shops for goods at an affordable price.
Sources in the Kitchen market said the price of vegetables, salad items and fish was low while that of fine rice, vermicelli, sugar, spices, meat and other delicacies to mark Eid ul-Fitr soared at least 20%-30% higher than pre-ramadan period.
The sale of cheap mobile phones and Eid greeting cards were selling at a high price in comparison with the previous year while Eid cap, Jainamaj (prayer rug) and Attar (perfume) and Tasbih (rosary) are the best selling goods.
The sales began from early ramadan and it would continue till next Eid ul-Azha, said Motahar Hossain, a seller of religious parapharnallia on Hemayetuddin Road Kasai Mosque.
The tailoring shops of shirts and suits witnessed throngs of customers as well as footwear shops.
Bata, Apex, Liberty and other shoe companies as well as local shoe manufacturing shops are busy dealing with customers.
The cosmetics and beautification products, specially imitation and city-gold items, were not selling as well as expected.
The city beauty parlors and salons, on the other hand, are handling a large number of crowds every day since the halfway through the month of ramadan.
Fashion enthusiasts, particularly young men and women, rush to different parlours and salons to get themselves new hair styles and make-up.
But the jewelry markets are the exception.
The jewellery businessmen were facing a lull in the business, said Md Ali Khan Jasim, secretary, Barisal Jewellers Association.
The electronics showrooms like Toshiba Rangs, Sony Rangs, Fatima Electronics, and Shahjahan Brothers were making a lackluster sale throughout the Eid shopping spree.
Only Singer and Butterfly products were selling well. A long-term purchase scheme through installment is said to be the reason for their booming business.
The furniture showrooms like Otobi, Hatil, Navana and Partex also failed to draw expected customers during the Eid shopping spree.
