With only few days remaining before the end of Ramadan, Muslim prayer caps (topi) and Atar (traditional perfume) are in high demand, with sales booming along with other Eid-related products in the capital.
Abdus Salam, a trader selling prayer caps, told Dhaka Tribune: "Various lucrative designs and flexible prices have sparked significant sales regarding the product."
After meeting the local demand, it was also being exported to various other countries such as India, Pakistan, Indonesia, China, Middle Eastern countries and more, he added.
He, along with other topi traders, anticipate bumper sales on the night before Eid-ul-Fitr, popularly known as "Chand Raat."
Sales were seen to be brisk at the capital's Chawkbazar, New Market, Baitul Mukarram, Chadni Chawk and other shopping malls as well.
Additionally, seasonal hawkers were also selling their stocks of prayer caps at various pavements in commercial areas and beside mosques.
Most of the topis are made outside the capital, such as in Sherpur, Bogra, Shibganj and other districts.
Nurani, Al Kabir, Al Shahid, Al Farooq, Lace, Jali, etc are some of the various types of topi available at reasonable prices.
Based on quality, design and fabric, they are sold between Tk10 and Tk800.
Over 200 makeshift stalls emerge during Ramadan to sell topi at one of the oldest wholesale markets in the capital, Chawkbazar.
Although no records or statistics are maintained, Akbar Hossain, Chawkbazar Topi Association president, said a wholesaler was supplying at least one lakh topis every day.
Alif Caps manager Monaem Shah told Dhaka Tribune, "Topi sales fetch hundreds of crore annually, while Tk400 crore worth of topis alone are exported to Middle Eastern countries."
He said additional government support would help improve in the country's export diversification.
Most retail traders are said to sell topis worth Tk5,000-8,000 daily.
Morshed Islam Tipu, a trader selling prayer caps, said this Ramadan he was selling somewhere between Tk5,000-6,000 every day.
School teacher Fazlur Rahman said, "I had already bought other essential products, but I just bought a new topi for my Eid prayers."
Saber Ali, a street vendor, said he was selling topi price ranging from Tk25 to Tk100. Low income people and mostly students were buying topis from him, he mentioned.
Atar sales rise too
Atar shops were seen to sell the traditional perfume in different colors such as green, yellow and golden with enchanting fragrances.
"Atar business in both the Eids is prime time for traders. Imported atars have a huge demand among the customer," said Bulbul Chowdhury, owner of Bulbul atar shop in the capital.
Price of the atar started at as low as Tk50 and could go up to as high as Tk32,000, he added.
Most of the imported atar brands include Agar, Amber, Darbar, Jannatul Ferdous, etc.
It was found that the most high-end atar bottles, such as an Emirati Atar, "Hatkora Oudh", consisting of 20ml, was being sold at Tk25,000 per bottle, while a bottle of Agar was sold at Tk32,000 per ounce.
Similarly, locally-produced atars such as Hasnahena, Rajanigandha, Golap, Bailey, Night Flower, Jannatul Ferdous, are priced between Tk750 to Tk800.
