Khulna:Shopping activities for the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja have intensified in Khulna, with markets experiencing a significant influx of customers ahead of the festival's commencement on October 16. Shoppers are busy purchasing new clothes for themselves and their families, although many had completed their shopping earlier.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the scarcity of Indian outfits this year has led to a rise in the popularity of Persian three-piece dresses among young women. Sarees remain in high demand, while men are primarily buying panjabis, dhotis, shirts, and trousers for the festival.
Both high-end shopping malls and roadside stalls are seeing a steady stream of customers, but traders have reported varied sales compared to the previous year. Some traders report satisfactory sales, while others note a slight decline in business from last year.
At Khaja Khan Jahan Ali Hawkers Market, Ma Bastralaya is displaying a variety of sarees at different price points to attract buyers. Shop manager Bijoy Sarkar mentioned that while the collection is good and sales have been encouraging, customer turnout was higher a week ago. Prices for Jamdani sarees range from Tk 5,000 to Tk 14,000, silk sarees from Tk 1,200 to Tk 8,000, embroidered sarees from Tk 5,000 to Tk 25,000, resham sarees from Tk 3,500 to Tk 6,500, and Kani silk sarees from Tk 2,200 to Tk 4,500.
Gayatri Biswas, a housewife from Rampal in Bagerhat, was seen shopping with her family, mentioning that while she is buying clothes for her family and relatives, the higher prices this year have led her to visit multiple shops before finalizing her purchases.
At the Khulna Shopping Complex, Mariam Enterprise's manager Mahmudul Hasan reported that Persian three-piece dresses are popular among young women due to the limited availability of Indian garments. Pakistani dresses are priced from Tk 4,000 to Tk 6,500, with ready-made three-piece outfits ranging from Tk 2,350 to Tk 5,800, and georgette dresses from Tk 2,450 to Tk 11,500.
Akhtar Ahmed, a trader at Khulna Bipani Bitan, is offering a variety of children's clothing, with prices between Tk 200 and Tk 700 for outfits catering to newborns up to 12-year-olds. Meanwhile, Shubho Fashion is selling panjabis featuring watercolor-style prints, depicting Hindu deities and natural scenery, for prices between Tk 1,000 and Tk 3,000. Dhotis, priced between Tk 250 and Tk 450, are also seeing satisfactory sales, particularly among elderly customers.
Roadside vendors are attracting numerous lower-middle-income and working-class shoppers with more affordable festive clothing options. Abul Khayer, a young trader at Dakbangla intersection, sells jeans from a roadside van, with prices ranging from Tk 350 to Tk 650.