Despite attracting a large number of visitors to their stalls and pavillions at this year's trade fair, jewellery traders are failing to make significant sales.
Similar to previous years, jewellery is the main attraction for female visitors at the Dhaka International Trade Fair 2019 (DITF 2019). Crowds of young women were seen at the jewellery stalls and pavillions, but traders claimed that most of them were "window shopping".
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, Md Ali, stall manager of Jhumka Fashion Jewellery said: "Every year, we sell the highest amount of jewellery at the trade fair. This year, although number of visitors are high, most of them are not buying any products."
Visitors at the fair said although prices are low this year, they are not happy with the designs.
Salma Jahan, a visitor at Jhumka Fashion Jewellery, said: "Although prices seem relatively low this year, the designs are not very attractive."
Rehnuma, a visitor from Savar who bought a pair of earrings for herself, said that she would wait a few more days before buying more jewellery in hopes of discounts at the end of the fair.
However, some jewellery stalls and pavillions are already offering discounts.
Rasel, in-charge of the Fashion Jewellery pavilion, said that despite offering discounts of 10–20%, they were having a difficult time gaining traction with customers.
Jewellery outlet staff further complained that they were failing to sell as per their expectation even the imported products from Korea, China, and India.
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, Deputy Director of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Abu Mukhles Alamgir Hossain, said that visitor turnout is low since the fair is still on its early days.
Regarding customers' complaints of poor quality and imitation jewellery being sold at the fair, he said: "If we get any objection or complain from customers, we will take action against in accordance with the law."
