The stricter lockdown announcement to curb the Covid-19 infections has given rise to the demand for tech gadgets in the capital.
Talking to several tech products' vendors across the capital on Monday, they said that demand for tech products amid the pandemic had gone up nearly 50-60%.
But they also said that slow import had prevented prices from coming down, as supply of several products were slowly running out.
Their revenue stream has shifted from physical store sales to online.
Babu Ahmed, outlet manager of Datatech Centre, said that due to Covid-19, most of the offices shifted their sales online, as a result consumers had the convenience to purchase tech products such as webcams, headphones and laptop stands from their homes.
"We also moved online and provided home delivery service for their convenience. We send the products via courier services," he added.
Another IT shop manager Mamun Chowdhury said: “We are already packed with orders, for Dhaka city we charge Tk60 at the lowest, ever since movement restrictions have been imposed to curb Covid-19.”
Since last year, sales of tech products have spiked due to virtual classrooms, home offices and also TikTok video recordings. It seems the pandemic made people more tech-savvier than ever, he added.
Sajjad Rahman Milon, a sales executive of Computer Village, said: “Demand has risen, we are delivering products through online orders, and delivering to consumers' homes. Prices have also risen in the meantime as most of IT products come from China, Korea, Taiwan, where the pandemic has caused gadget production to slow down.”
Citing demand for laptops, he said that previously people were interested in buying new laptops but as their purchasing capacity shrunk, they are opting for used and/or refurbished laptops which come from developed countries such as Dubai, USA, and China.
Computer technician Walid Hossain from Mirpur acknowledged the surge in gadget prices.
"A few months back, a Remax headphone was sold at Tk90-120 apiece, in now we sold at Tk130-210.”
Highlighting the demand for mobile accessories, he said that now everyone holds a smartphone, now they talk more than ever before. Demand for mobile charger, cover, screen protector, gaming keyboard and router increased in the market. Since last year, we have been taking orders via IMO, WhatsApp and delivering to their home via courier services,” Hossain added.
