Eid shopping gathers pace in capital

Retail activity in the capital has gathered strong momentum as Eid-ul-Fitr approaches, with shoppers thronging major markets and shopping malls to complete their festive purchases.

Shopping malls drew shoppers much beyond their capacities on Friday, several days ahead of Eid al-Fitr, the largest Islamic festival.

Most of them have been operating until midnight to deal with the influx of customers, as many of them prefer to join a shopping spree after Iftar to skip the growing hot temperature during the day.

During a visit to several shopping hubs in the city, including New Market, Elephant Road and Bashundhara City Shopping Complex, this scribe found a steady flow of customers throughout the day.

Traders said the number of visitors increased significantly over the past few days as many families are now making their final preparations ahead of the largest religious festival in the country.

At New Market and the adjoining Elephant Road area, popular among middle- and lower-income shoppers, most clothing outlets were bustling with customers on Friday afternoon.

"Customer turnout has improved noticeably over the last three to four days. Sales are picking up as Eid is getting closer," said Abdul Karim, a trader at Elephant Road.

"Three-piece dresses and cotton outfits are selling the most this year due to the hot weather."

Traders said women's apparel continued to dominate sales in these markets. A wide range of sarees is available at prices ranging from Tk 1,000 to Tk 10,000, while some premium varieties are selling for as much as Tk 15,000 to Tk 20,000. Three-piece outfits-one of the most sought-after items among young women- are being sold at prices between Tk 1,200 and Tk 2,000, depending on fabric and design.

Among other items, baby wear, men's panjabi, shirt, and pants were selling the most.

Many shoppers said the ongoing summer heat influenced their purchasing decisions this year. Cotton and linen dresses were among the most sought-after items as customers looked for comfortable clothing suitable for the warm weather, although embroidered georgette and silk outfits were also drawing interest from buyers seeking attire that is more festive.

"We are mostly looking for cotton dresses this year because of the heat," said Shamima Akter, a shopper at Elephant Road.

"Prices are a bit higher than last year, so we are trying to buy only necessary items."

The rush was equally visible at Bashundhara City Shopping Complex in Panthapath, one of the largest shopping malls in the capital.

Severe traffic congestion was seen along the shopping hubs, leading the shoppers to walk long distances, leaving their transport.

Extensively long queues were seen in front of the entrances as well as in front of different renowned brands' outlets.

People from different walks of life were seen arriving with family members after Iftar to avoid daytime congestion. Several shoppers said they had come with a prepared list to manage expenses amid rising living costs.

"I made a list before coming so that I don't overspend," said Tanvir Hossain, a private-sector employee shopping with his family at Bashundhara City. "We are trying to complete everything on one visit."

Traders expect the flow of customers to grow further in the coming days as Eid draws nearer, with many buyers typically leaving their shopping for the final week. They expressed optimism that the festive season would bring a strong boost to retail sales across the city's major shopping destinations.

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