The country’s boutique and fashion warehouses expect 20% more sales than the previous years on the occasion of the upcoming Bangla New Year, thanks to the introduction of a new festival allowance for the government employees amid political stable situation.
The government has announced a festival allowance for the Bangla New Year for all its employees to be calculated at 20% of the basic pay. According to the Eight Pay Scale, the government has to pay Tk317 crore as bonus to its employees.
While visiting several shopping spots in different areas of the capital, it was found that all the shops and boutique houses were over crowded just few days ahead of Bangla New Year scheduled to be observed on April 14 amid huge festivity.
Fashion houses and shops displayed a wide range of new collection of cloths with various colors and designs to attract the buyers, who bear the essence of Bengali culture in their minds.
“We are hoping over 20% sales this year compared to the years before as the overall condition is different now and the government has declared the first-ever festival bonus for Bangla New Year amidst quiet political situation,” said Fashion Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh (FEAB) President Azharul Haque Azad .
He said: “We have set a target of Tk1,500 crore earnings from Boishakhi sales.”
The local fashion houses and manufacturers are ready to achieve the target as they have already brought a lot of new colorful designs to attract the buyers, said Azad.
“Since the flavor of the consumers is being changed all the time, we have also brought a lot of new products including Sarees, Panjabi, Salware and Kamiz designed by our designers,” said Taib Hasan Sharif, assistant manager of Bangla Mela at Mirpur branch.
Considering the scorching summer, all the items have also been made of pure cotton to give a comfortable feeling to the consumers, he added.
“Experiencing the previous year’s sluggish business, we have set a 30% growth target for this year and we are very hopeful to attain it,” said Md Salauddin Ahmed, branch in-charge of Anjan’s.
Ahmed also said: “We have designed some unique products like 100% cotton, half-silk, screen print and block print in the red and white and there are some special package for a family in a color, which includes dress for mother, father and babies.”
“Though the amount of festival bonus is not a big one, it, however, gives me a cushion to Bangla New year expense,” said Mustafizur Rahman Nabil while shoping at Bashundhara City.
However, private sector employees have expressed their utter dissatisfaction as the government did not give any sort of indication to the private sector employees in this regard.
“We are already under tremendous pressure due to the implementation of eight pay scale to bear the everyday burnt while extra benefits offered only to the government official pushed up the prices of products,” said Mohammad Alimuzzaman, a private service holder.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
