Chattogram: As the holy Eid-ul-Fitr, the largest religious festival for Muslims, approaches, a significant shopping surge has been observed in both high-end and traditional shopping malls, as well as makeshift shops and footpaths throughout the city.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, shoppers from various upazilas of the district, and even distant areas of adjacent districts such as Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati, and Khagrachari, have started flocking to popular shopping centers and traditional marketplaces in Chattogram for Eid shopping. Shoppers have expressed satisfaction with the improved law and order situation around major market areas and the near-uninterrupted power supply during Ramadan and the Eid shopping period.
City market places are bustling with crowds of customers from morning until midnight. This year’s significant trend shows a decline in the influx of Indian clothes, shoes, cosmetics, and non-gold ornaments due to delays and complexities in obtaining Indian visas, as reported by business sources.
Shop owners have noted a high demand for locally made and designed products this Eid, particularly among middle and lower-middle-income groups, while wealthier customers continue to seek items from India, Pakistan, Thailand, China, and other countries, along with internationally established brands. Shoppers have also reported a 10 to 20 percent increase in prices compared to last year.
Golam Mostafa, General Secretary of the Ctg Shopping Complex Shop Owners Association, stated that average daily sales at his clothing store have reached around Tk. 95,000 after mid-Ramadan, compared to approximately Tk. 85,000 per day last year. Abdul Mannan, President of the Teri Bazar Shop Owner Association, highlighted the positive market situation this year, citing reduced activity from organized crime groups and consistent power supply as factors contributing to a conducive business environment for sellers and buyers.
Importers and wholesalers have noted a shift in the Eid shopping economy, with Pakistani and Chinese products losing ground to Taiwanese and Thai-made ready-made garments, three-piece suits for girls, shoes, cosmetics, kids’ items, and other fashion products. Indian clothes remain popular, with prices ranging from Taka 5,000 to Taka 30,000, while both Indian and local sarees are in high demand.
Roadside footpath shops and small stores are seeing more traffic than larger shopping malls, as makeshift shops have proliferated on city pavements ahead of the festival. Despite the abundance of goods, including foreign brands, prices for various clothing types such as cotton, tissue, silk, and synthetic have seen a sharp rise. Khurshid Alam, General Secretary of the New Market Shop Owner Association, noted that both rich and low-income buyers are actively shopping for their desired items.
Reportedly, departmental stores and market authorities have announced attractive prizes and offers, including cash discounts, raffle draws, and instant coupons, to entice customers. However, the city has been experiencing heavy traffic congestion due to the increased flow of buyers, especially in areas like New Market, Reazuddin Bazar, and several others. Traffic police and the elite crime-busting force RAB are on high alert to manage congestion and prevent unlawful activities.