Chattogram:As winter nears, the second-hand clothing markets in Chattogram are experiencing a surge in activity, with warehouses and wholesale markets bustling with imported winter garments. Traders across the city, from Amir Market and Asadganj to Zahur Hawkers Market and Teribazar, are preparing for a busy season. Business associations project that wholesale and retail sales will surpass Tk 1,000 crore this winter.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Md Yunus Zahur, a trader at Zahur Hawkers Market, mentioned that colder weather is expected by late November, with most of the season's business likely to be concentrated within a two-month period due to Ramadan falling in February. Buyers from distant areas have already begun purchasing winter clothes from the wholesale market.
Traders in the Khatunganj area, who deal in consumer goods throughout the year, have started sourcing second-hand winter clothing through the local Amir Market. Md Mohiuddin, a Khatunganj trader, noted that the main buyers of second-hand clothes are people from lower-income and lower-middle-income groups, as well as working-class families. The presence of attractive international brands in the bales has also piqued the interest of young people and middle-class consumers in the city.
Zahur Hawkers Market has been a long-established hub for wholesale and retail winter clothing, catering to the city's middle- and lower-income populations. Tipu Sultan of Binimoy Store explained that he sells shirts, trousers, and T-shirts before winter and switches to warm clothing as the season begins. Prices at the market vary depending on quality, with women's sweaters and jackets ranging from Tk 200-800, men's sweaters from Tk 100-500, and children's sweaters from Tk 50-600.
Trader Elias Uddin highlighted that the market comprises over 800 shops, including 200 large, 350 medium, and the remainder small shops. He expects daily sales to range from Tk 10,000 to Tk 12,000 for small shops, Tk 20,000 to Tk 25,000 for medium-sized shops, and Tk 50,000 to Tk 60,000 for large shops. The market's total turnover could reach around Tk 200 crore over the next three months.
Mozammel Haque of Riazuddin Bazar noted that there are approximately 15,000 shops across 110 markets, with about half dealing in winter clothing. He estimates daily sales exceed Tk 1 crore, although exact figures are challenging to determine. Every evening, clothing from these wholesale markets is distributed to roadside stalls across the city, particularly in areas such as New Market, KC Dey Road, and Agrabad.
Abdul Mannan of the Teribazar Traders Association stated that Teribazar, known for children's winter wear, comprises about 3,000 shops across 82 markets. However, the total trade volume remains undetermined. Traders attribute rising prices to the strengthening US dollar and increased shipping and container freight costs amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.