As the cold weather steadily tightens its hold, a large number of Dhaka residents are swarming makeshift shops in various parts of the capital, including Bangabazar, New Market and Gulistan to buy warm clothes.
Customers said prices had increased sharply, while sellers reported a significant increase in sales of warm clothing during the previous few days.
These stores carry a wide variety of warm clothing items, such as coats, hoodies, sweaters, blazers, caps, mufflers, socks, shoes and blankets in different styles. Depending on the type and quality, these things might cost anywhere from Tk100 to Tk4,000.
Buyers from other districts are thronging the Gulistan wholesale market to buy winter clothes at retail or wholesale prices.
Md Najid, a resident of Old Dhaka, said: "I do most of my shopping round the year from here. The prices are very low and there are many products here, so anyone has the opportunity to choose the products they like. I came here to buy warm clothes. A seller asked Tk2,200 for a jacket, but I bought it for Tk800."
Another buyer, Nuruzzaman, who is a resident of Gazipur, said: "The advantage of shopping here is that you can buy according to your budget through bargaining. Quality warm clothes are available at comparatively low prices."
Abdur Rahman, a vendor said: "There is a lot of demand for winter clothes now, sales are good."
Apart from these, various hawkers and small traders are also selling warm clothes on rickshaw-vans in different parts of the city.
Fariduddin, who has a makeshift shop in the New Market area, said low- and fixed-income people including day labourers and rickshaw pullers were crowding his shop.
Besides, the sales of various electronic items such as electric kettles, heaters and flasks have also increased in the Gulistan market. Demand for winter items like olive oil and lotion has also marked a rise.
