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Eid sales started picking up steam as shopping malls in Dhaka city registered a higher customer turnout on the second Friday after Ramadan began, traders said.
They are expecting more shoppers this week as many people are waiting for salaries and festival bonus to buy their desired attire and accessories.
However, according to buyers, the price of almost every item is higher than that of last year mainly due to inflationary pressure at home and abroad.
The FE travelled to several shopping malls and spots, including New Market, Bashundhara City, Eastern Plus and Bailey Road on Friday.
It was seen that most of the shopping outlets were crowded with people from all walks of life.
A salesperson at Gentle Park in Bashundhara City was found busy dealing with customers one after another.
"Buyers started coming to our outlet since the mall opened in the morning and the crowd kept growing gradually," he told the FE, adding that the last Friday and other weekdays witnessed a lower turnout.
According to sources, brand outlets were receiving more buyers than other shops, indicating less inflationary pressure on the wealthy section.
Shireen Akhtar, proprietor of KGN International at Eastern Plus, said they were getting fewer customers this year.
"We've brought new clothes on the occasion of Eid, but we are not getting expected buyers. Maybe people don't have enough money to buy festival dresses."
When asked, she said her sales have decreased by almost 50 per cent this year.
A salesman of Fars, another showroom at the same shopping mall, said their sales are good but expect more in the next two weeks.
Fars mostly sells men's and kid's wear.
On the other hand, some shoppers have expressed dissatisfaction over the prices of festival dresses.
Rehena Begum, a shopper, said the sellers have increased the prices of clothes on the occasion of Eid.
"We're already in trouble due to rising prices of daily essentials. In this situation, it has become tough to buy clothes for Eid celebration."
Arifur Rahman, a New Market customer, said weekend along with a comfortable weather facilitated footprint of shoppers across malls on Friday.
"Shops are offering a wide range of Eid collection, yet the price is much higher this year," he told the FE.
Showing a panjabi he bought at Tk 1,000, Mr Rahman said the same quality dress was sold at Tk 800-850 last year.
Meanwhile, footpath hawkers in New Market and Motijheel areas pulled in huge buyers for comparatively affordable buys from such kerb markets.
Md Shawkat Ali, a shop owner at Jahan Mansion opposite Dhaka College, said their sales were still lower than expected, which might have resulted from families lowering their non-food expenditure.
"I hope our sales will grow much better in the coming days as many people are waiting to get their salaries and festival bonuses," he cited.