M M Jasim :
Sale of warm clothes in the city’s footpaths has broken all records as the lowest-ever cold wave is now sweeping over the country, particularly in the northern region.
Customers of different strata of society are crowding the city’s footpaths for buying warm clothes at cheap prices. The vendors are also passing very busy time with the customers.
The vendors said they have been selling huge clothes almost everyday since the temperature decreased last week over the country. They said woollen sweaters, jackets, hoodies, blazers, vests, cardigans, zip-ups, wind cutter, coats, full-slave t-shirt and polo shirt, scarves, caps and sweatshirts are being sold at footpaths makeshift shops in the city.
Bangabazar, Motijheel, Municipal Hawkers’ Market, Gulistan and Farmgate, footpaths near Baitul Mokarram National Mosque, Bangbandhu Stadium, Dhaka College, New Market, Gausia Market, Muktijoddha market at Mirpur section 1, Shah Ali market at Mirpur 10, and Purabi Super Market in Pallabi are the most popular footpath markets. Vendor Mustafa Kamal at Motijheel footpath said, “I could not reap benefit from the sale of warm clothes before the cold wave had hit the county. But now I am satisfied over the sale of warm clothes which has fetched me huge profit.”
Street vendor Kamrul Hasan in Gulistan area said, “Bone-chilling cold is forcing people to buy warm clothes. So, our sale is now satisfactory.”
Kamal Uddin, a vendor in New Market area said, “Sales of winter clothes were very low last year. People did not need to wear woolen sweaters as the weather was not cold enough. However, sales of warm clothes have been increasing since this week.”
Surplus and rejected sweaters made by the local garment industries are mainly on display in the shops, while the lower-income and middle-income groups of people are opting for used clothes, he said.
“The variety and most importantly the price, attract a cross section of people. There are every things on the footpaths,” Kamal said.
The prices of locally made and Indian shawls range from Tk 200 to Tk 250. Woollen sweaters and cardigans cost Tk 150 to Tk 200, while winter caps cost Tk 50 to Tk 60.
Woollen blankets are selling at a price between Tk 400 and Tk 1500, sometimes even more depending on the quality.
Abdul Karim, a peon of a government office, told The New Nation, “There are quality clothes available in the stores. Footpath is the only place where we can afford to buy winter clothes. Because of the rejected garment products the middle class and the low income group can survive the winter.”
Roki Chowdhury, a private service holder, said, “I buy winter clothes from the Motijheel footpaths as the price of the clothes is very cheap and affordable. I have bought three sweaters and two coats for my family members and me.”
Meanwhile, some customers alleged that the vendors are hiking the prices of the winter products.
Rifat Monowar, a customer, said the price of warm clothes soared following its huge demand as cold wave gripped the people of the country.
He also alleged that the vendors have formed syndicates to make windfall profit from sale of warm clothes.
