Khulna: The Eid market in Khulna has started gaining momentum as the holy month of Ramadan enters its second half, with a large number of shoppers thronging markets and roadside stalls across the city. Traders said sales have increased since the 14th of Ramadan after government employees received their salaries and Eid bonuses.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, due to comparatively higher prices in shopping malls, many customers are now turning to sidewalk stalls and medium-range markets to buy clothes for Eid. During a visit to different markets including Akhtar Chamber, Haji Malek Chamber, Asha Chamber, Picture Palace, Khulna Shopping Complex, Rob Super Market, Shaheed Suhrawardy Biponi Bitan, Railway Biponi Bitan (Nixon Market), Jabbar Market, Khan Jahan Ali Hawkers Market and New Market on Saturday revealed a significant rush of shoppers. Traders said women’s clothing shops are witnessing far more crowds than men’s wear outlets, with shops selling three-pieces, gowns, lehengas, and other fashionable dresses being especially crowded.
Footpath vendor Sajib, who runs a clothing stall in front of Haji Malek Chamber at Dakbangla intersection, mentioned that business was slow during the first ten days of Ramadan but picked up after salaried people received their Eid bonuses. Sajib sells men’s T-shirts and shirts, with prices ranging from Taka 150 to Taka 300 per piece. Another sidewalk vendor Hasib, who sells children’s clothing nearby, noted that sales remained poor initially but improved after the 15th of Ramadan.
Masum, a trader at Railway Biponi Bitan (Nixon Market), stated that his shop mainly sells men’s clothing, including pants priced between Taka 300 and Taka 1,200. He observed that sales have increased over the last two days and anticipates further growth as Eid approaches. Khulna Shopping Complex, known as one of the city’s posh shopping malls, is also witnessing a growing number of customers. Owner of ‘Aishika Fashion’ Utpal Dutta highlighted that several trendy dresses are popular this Eid season, with cotton three-pieces, georgette, organza, jimichu, and Persian gown three-pieces in high demand.
According to traders, cotton three-pieces are being sold between Taka 1,500 and Taka 4,000, Pakistani georgette Persian gown three-pieces between Taka 5,000 and Taka 10,000, organza dresses between Taka 3,000 and Taka 7,000, jimichu between Taka 2,500 and Taka 3,000 and Indian Persian gowns between Taka 3,000 and Taka 7,000. Abul Hossain, owner of Moriam Enterprise at the same market, said Persian gowns are the latest addition to this year’s Eid collection, with prices ranging from Taka 3,000 to Taka 9,000.
Shoppers are also crowding sari shops across the city. Owner of Chandana Saree House at Jalil Tower, Ujjal Kundu, said B-Plus printed saris are selling between Taka 1,400 and Taka 1,500, while Tangail saris are priced between Taka 800 and Taka 1,600. However, some traders expressed concern over lower-than-expected sales. Jahangir Hossain, owner of ‘Cats Eye’ at New Market, mentioned that despite investing heavily in Eid garments, sales have not yet reached the expected level.
Ruhul Amin Tarafdar, a garment shop owner at the Dakbangla area, noted that the turnout of shoppers has increased significantly since the 15th of Ramadan. Rezaul Akand, owner of a shoe shop at City’s Shibbari, expressed optimism about good profits this year. Customers, like Sonia Chowdhury from Boyra and Mafuja Nilu from Khalishpur, shared their shopping experiences, highlighting the crowded market conditions and their strategies to complete Eid shopping amidst the rush.