KHULNA, Mar 18: With Eid approaching, Khulna's clothing markets have come alive as shoppers flock to both footpath stalls and upscale shopping centres, with demand especially high for women's three-piece outfits, gowns and lehengas.
However, upscale shopping centres have also reported increased sales since 16 Ramadan, particularly after government employees received their salaries and bonuses.
On Saturday, busy streets across the city, from footpath stalls at Nixon Market to luxury shopping centers, were crowded with buyers.
Women's clothing stores attracted noticeably larger crowds than men's shops, especially for three-piece outfits, gowns, lehengas and other fashionable garments.
Markets witnessing heavy footfall include Akhtar Chamber, Haji Malek Chamber, Esha Chamber, Picture Palace, Khulna Shopping Complex, Rob Supermarket, Shahid Suhrawardy Biploni Bittan, Railway Biploni Bittan, Jabbar Market, Khanzahan Ali Hawkers Market, and New Markets Market.
Shopkeepers noted that mid-range markets and footpath vendors are seeing higher sales due to comparatively lower prices.
Sarwar, a footpath vendor near Nickson market, said sales were slow until 12 Ramadan but picked up after government employees received Eid bonuses. He sells men's T-shirts and shirts priced between Tk 250 and Tk 350.
Another small vendor, Mamun, selling children's clothes, reported that sales have increased since 15 Ramadan.
At Railway BiploniBittan (Nickson Market), Hasan, a men's clothing shop owner, said his store offers pants ranging from Tk 400 to Tk 1,500 and that sales have risen over the past week, with expectations of further growth.
In upscale Khulna Shopping Centre, UtpalDutta, owner of Aishika Fashion, said demand is high for cotton three-pieces, georgette, organza, jimucci and Persian gowns, especially among young and teenage women.
Prices range from Tk 2,500-4,000 for cotton three-piece sets, Tk 5,000-10,000 for georgette Pakistani Persian gowns, Tk 3,500-7,000 for organza, Tk 2,500-3,500 for jimucci and Tk 3,000-7,000 for Indian Persian gowns, traders said.
Abul Hossain of Mariam Enterprise said, the new collection for this Eid is Persian gowns produced in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh, priced between Tk 3,000 and Tk 10,000. He noted that sales usually peak between 7-14 Ramadan, but this year the rush began after 15 Ramadan.
Shoppers expressed concerns about high prices. Shahadat, a local resident, said he has been browsing the market since noon but finds prices steep and plans to buy children's clothing later.
At Picture Palace Supermarket, some vendors offered discounts of Tk 100-200 on certain one-piece, two-piece and three-piece items sourced from Islampur, Dhaka.
