With Ramadan beginning with a weekend this year, People in Dhaka took the chance to do some early shopping on Friday and Saturday.
Traders, however, said business was yet to pick up.
In various markets of the city, shoppers were found to be looking for the latest fashion collections ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, the biggest Muslim festival in Bangladesh as well as one of the busiest periods of shopping in the year.
Sabina Akter, who works at a private company, told UNB that she came to Chadni Chawk market to do some shopping for Eid.
“Ramadan has started, and we don’t get time to shop on weekdays, so I thought why not start the preparations early? Also, the markets remain comparatively less crowded in the early days of the month, so it is easier for us to look for the necessary things,” she added.
Hasan Al Faisal, a clothing salesman in New Market, said sales are comparatively low in spite of a good number of visitors as most come only to visit.
“Sales will gain momentum after a few more days, as Eid day comes closer.”
Sayedatunnesa, a student of Dhaka Dental College, said she had visited the boutique shops on Baily Road while looking for new fashion collections for this Eid.
“New collections have started coming, so I thought of paying a visit to the markets as I remain busy with classes during other days of the week,” she told UNB.
In Mouchak Market, lace shops were found to be more crowded than others.
A lace salesman said many prefer to design their own dresses and had started buying materials at the start of the month in order to place their orders before the tailors go on vacation.
Another shop owner, Md Jaglu, said the weather was a big draw back to business at the moment.
“Many customers are not coming to the markets due to the rain. Those who are coming now are buying items so that they can get them at low prices,” he said.
