Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
Florists at the capital’s Shahbagh Avenue have reported a big jump in their business turnover on the eve of Pahela Falgun and just ahead of Valentine’s Day.
They said, people from all walks of life usually rush for the flower shops to buy flowers for their loved ones during the Pahela Falgun and Valentine’s Day pushing up their sales remarkably.
While visiting the Shahbagh Avenue, it was found that flower vendors were in upbeat mood at their stalls ahead of the Valentine’s Day on Monday and their stalls were decorated with eye-catching bouquets, garlands and other floral concoctions to lure customers.
They also mentioned that the demand for flowers like marigold, red rose and gladiolus is high as they are randomly used for making bouquets and floral ornaments for women.
“Our overall business is good and will reach a peak by today (Tuesday),” Yaad Ali, a vendor at the Shahbagh Avenue, told The New Nation on Monday.
He revealed that his sales turnover crossed Tk 1 lakh on the day and it would go up further by Tuesday. He could trade Tk 50,000-60,000 at best in dull days.
“I have invested heavily to spruce up my stall and procure healthy and alluring red roses, marigolds and gladioluses from farms in major flower growing districts considering clients’ tastes and make up the brisk flower sales during the Pahela Falgun and Valentine’s Day,” said Yaad Ali.
Flowers are mainly cultivated in the districts of Jessore, Jhinaidah, Meherpur, Chuadanga, Gazipur, Savar, Satkhira, Bogra, Comilla and Chittagong.
When asked, Yaad Ali said, the retail price for a red rose was Tk 30-50 on Monday morning but it was sold at Tk 10-15 at the beginning of this week. The demand supply mismatch has pushed up the prices of rose and other flowers.
“Our sales are brisk this year as people in large numbers are buying flower to offer floral gifts to their near and dear ones to celebrate Pahela Falgun and Valentine’s Day,” Md Hasan, another vendor, told The New Nation yesterday. His stall was an instant attraction to male and female clients as plenty of flower bouquets and flowers like red rose tuberose, gladiolus, chrysanthemum, hedychium, aster, carnation, dahlia, calendula, marigold, jasmines lily, grass flower and orchid were creatively arranged.
“I have brought a wide-variety of flowers to grasp all kinds of buyers. It forced me to reinvest my business which I have been doing over the last ten years,” the vendor said.
Hasan said his sales turnover during the last two days reached Tk 2 lakh and he made a good profit from the sales. His yearly sales turnover is Tk 30 lakh.
When asked, he said, “The freshness, hygiene and aroma of flowers have become key consideration among many buyers. We have already re-organized our business considering client’s taste.”
