Gulam Rabbani and Noman Mosharef :
Last moment shopping on the occasion of the Eid-ul Fitr is going on in the markets. But, the disappointing number of the buyers frustrated the shop owners and managers. They lamented it, hoping satisfactory transaction in next few days.
The restrictions imposed by the government to prevent the infection of the novel corona virus is the main reason of poor sale this year, observed the shop managers.
The buyers who came to the markets ignoring the fear of the coronavirus were trying to buy different designs of dresses and shoes for everyone of their families. They can move easily as there is no crowd in the markets. Besides, many of the buyers came in the markets for shopping more than one day.
The shopkeepers said that the products for women and children are being sold more. Other dresses are being sold also.
Abdul Quayyum Miah, manager of Kay Kraft’s Baily Road branch, said, “Sales in the showrooms of the Kay Kraft has been dropped by around 60 percent due to the lockdown. People cannot come to the markets as the public transports’ operation is suspended.”
Online selling has been increased in the meantime as the customers cannot come physically in the showrooms, he said adding that minimum 50 percent of their products are being sold through online.
Md Farid Akbar Siddique, Branch Manager of Infinity Mega Mall in Bashundhara City Shopping Complex, said, “Some customers come from outside the Dhaka city for shopping during the Eid seasons. But they could not come this year as inter-district transports are closed due to the lockdown.”
He also said sales in his showroom have been dropped by around 70 percent due to the lockdown.
Md Rubel Miah, Store Manager of an Apex showroom, and Md Jewel Rana, a cashier of a Bata showroom, also said that the sales in their showrooms have been dropped by around 50 percent in the season. Both the shopkeepers expect improved sale in next two days.
Othoi Siam, a housewife from Rampura area came to the Bashundhara City Shopping Complex to buy Punjabi and baby items for her family.
She said, “Nothing to do though there is a fear of coronavirus infection. Without new dress, it seems Eid celebration is incomplete. Children are not aware of pandemic. They want new dress in Eid occasion as their friends will wear new dress.” Siam repeatedly said that she came to market maintaining hygiene and following health guideline.
Two friends, Mahfuz and Sagor, came from capital’s Shyamoli area for buying their Eid clothes. Sagor said, they bought Panjabi, T-shirt and shoes for this year’s Eid celebration claiming the price of Punjabi is bit high. About coronavirus and ongoing restriction, both friends said, everybody should stay at home and if go outside must have follow health guideline.
Samia Islam, a student from capital’s Mogbazar area came to Gausia market for buying some clothes like three-pieces, sarees and few other necessary things. Samia’s hands were full with shopping bags of three-pieces and then she was going to sarees’ market.
Samia expressed her satisfaction with the price rate of dresses and said new models are available in the markets. She also acknowledged about the Covid-19 situation and these gathering will help the spread of the deadly virus which ultimately will put pressure on our economy.
We must have to stay at home, but you know without new outfits, the Eid celebration doesn’t fly, she added.
