The clothing and lifestyle markets are now crowded with customers for the occasion of Pohela Boishakh and Eid-ul-Fitr, the two biggest festivals of the country.
According to market insiders, the sales of festival-centric shopping collapsed in the last two years due to the pandemic. However, this year, businesses are hoping for big sales on the occasion of Boishakh and Eid.
They also said that this year's festival market will be an attempt to make up for the previous losses incurred due to the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
Biplob Saha, the owner of Bishwo Rang, said that their sales were largely hampered in the last two years due to the pandemic.
“However, this time the markets have regained momentum surrounding these two festivals as the number of Covid-19 cases reduced,” he added.
He also said that they did not have much expectation about Boishakh this year because Eid-ul Fitr is also just around the corner.
“Moreover, the purchasing capacity of people has also been curbed due to the pandemic. That is why most of the customers are shopping for Eid and Boishakh together,” he added.
However, after two years, the market has become normal again, and the customers are coming back to the outlets.
“Since the customers are coming, there will be sales and gradually we will also try to make up for our losses,” he added.
From the first and second day of Ramadan, the markets, shopping malls and fashion houses of the country saw large crowds of shoppers, according to market insiders.
Sources from the capital's New Market, Elephant Road, Bashundhara City and other big shopping malls said that their sales have increased gradually.
Many local brands like Anjan’s, Aarong, Sadakalo, Banglar Rong, KayKraft, Nabarupa, Nipun, Rang Bangladesh, Shilpik, Deshal, have experienced a surge in sales for their colourful designs for Boishakh.
Bangladesh's fashion industry is characteristically different from other countries in the world. The industry of other countries is seasonal, whereas the local industry is mainly based on festivals and occasions, said the businesses.
They have also stepped up preparations and production to boost Eid sales too, the major festival in the country.
This year’s Eid gives the brands more expectations compared to other normal times as they reopened their businesses after two years of the pandemic.
The people of the country will be able to celebrate the Pohela Boishakh and Eid festival spontaneously, hoped the sellers.
Talking to Dhaka Tribune, Shaheen Ahmed, president of Fashion Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh (FEAB) and CEO of Anjan's said that the pandemic wiped out all kinds of festivals in the last two years and a terrible crisis was created in trade and commerce. But this time, the context is different and the people are going out shopping.
“We didn't have much expectation about Boishakh because Eid and Boishakh are very close this year. Even so, a number of customers bought their Boishakh shopping,” he added.
He also said that their target this year is grabbing the Eid-centric shoppers and they have been succeeding in this.
“The sales are increasing, thanks to the increasing number of buyers. We expect that the sales will increase further gradually in the later weeks of Ramadan,” he added.
He also said that they are very hopeful about this year’s Eid sale and expect to make up a major portion of the loss they incurred in the last two years due to the Covid-19.
However, the market insiders said that they showcased sari, salwar kameez, tops, panjabi, fotua, shirts, T-shirts, and children's clothing to attract the shoppers for the shopping of Boishakh and Eid.
Romeo Aditya, the head of Kapor-e-Bangla at Aziz Super Market said that they were fully ready for Boishakh and they picked up two types of products for Eid and Boishakh.
“There are many types of products in our shops for those who want to buy Boishakh products or for those who want to buy Eid products. Since it is the month of Ramadan, the sales are relatively low but we are in a better position than the last two years,” he added.
