Eid shopping: Demand to extend malls open till 10 PM

With Eid-ul-Adha approaching, business activities across the country are expected to gain momentum. In this context, the Fashion Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh (FEAB) has called for a revision of shopping mall operating hours, stating that the current schedule does not reflect market realities and is hurting businesses.

According to the association, around 60 percent of total sales at shopping malls take place after evening, while only 40 percent occur during the daytime.

Due to intense heat and work commitments, customer turnout remains relatively low during the day, with most shopping activity concentrated in the evening hours.

However, under the existing schedule, shopping malls close by 7 PM, cutting off a crucial portion of peak business hours. FEAB claims this is causing significant losses, particularly for small and medium entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile, neighbourhood shops, restaurants, open markets, and temporary fairs continue operating late into the night, creating what the association describes as an uneven competitive environment for shopping malls.

In light of this, FEAB has proposed that shopping malls and commercial establishments begin operations at 1 PM and remain open until 10 PM instead of closing at 7 PM.

This adjustment, they argue, would help balance energy-saving measures while also ensuring smooth business operations during the Eid season.

The association believes such a decision would benefit local fashion brands, women entrepreneurs, and the large workforce dependent on the sector.

FEAB has urged the government to reconsider the current schedule and adopt a more practical and timely approach ahead of Eid.