Eid sales drop as early holidays see shoppers head home

As Eid approaches, markets are typically filled with shoppers buying gifts and essentials, but this year, sales have seen a significant dip as many people have already headed home for the early holidays.

Vendors across various markets have reported lower foot traffic and fewer sales in the last few days leading up to Eid.

Visits to New Market, Gausia Market, Dhanmondi, Mogbazar, Mouchak, and Mirpur areas over the past two days showed a noticeable decline in sales. Friday afternoon (28 March), Mouchak Market, typically packed with eager shoppers during Ramadan, was quieter than usual. Many shopkeepers were seen sitting idle, with the usual pre-Eid rush around cosmetics stores missing.

Mohammad Sohel, a salesman at Onoy Fashion in Mouchak Market, said, "What can I say? It seems like everyone has gone back to the village. On a Friday, just two days before Eid, there would normally be so many customers that I wouldn't have time to talk to you. But now, there are none." 

Sohel added that while sales were good early in Ramadan, they had dropped by 25-30% compared to last year.

This decline in activity follows a string of holidays starting with the nation's Independence Day on Wednesday, followed by a single business day on Thursday. Many workers took both Thursday and today off to return to their villages ahead of the nine-day government holiday starting tomorrow. After the break, government and private offices, as well as courts, will reopen on 6 April.

Monir Hossain, a cosmetics shop owner in Mouchak, said, "The schools closed earlier, and many people sent their families to the village. We've noticed they're shopping from village stores instead. Also, those who were working in Dhaka have gone home after their leave, and they've already bought what they needed. Our sales have dropped by 50% compared to last year."

In Mogbazar's Bishal Centre, Abdul Majid, the cashier-in-charge at Al Mostafa Panjabi shop, said, "Today (yesterday) is Friday, but there are no customers. Even the usual Friday sales, except for Eid, aren't happening." 

Majid attributed the decline to high inflation, which has reduced purchasing power. "They've cut back on clothing purchases, and it seems they're mainly buying clothes for children," he added.

Despite the slower sales, markets like Gausia and New Market have seen slightly higher foot traffic. Alamgir, a salesperson at Noor Mansion Shopping Centre, said, "We sell women's three-piece suits priced between Tk650 and Tk3025. This year, customers have bargained more, and we've sold at lower profits."

In the Science Lab area, Mohammad Robin, a salesperson at a Punjabi shop, said, "Sales are down by 20% compared to last Eid. It seems village shops have done better this time. Also, many leaders from the former government have fled, so they haven't given clothes as gifts to their party members this year."

Security concerns have also impacted sales, particularly in the evenings. A salesperson at Sari Corner in Dhanmondi Hawkers' Market said, "Our shop stays open until 2am, but sales drop at night. Customers feel anxious. This year, many are avoiding shopping late due to security worries. Usually, theft and snatching increase during Eid, and this year it's no different."

Asma Begum, the owner of Style Bliss at Grand Plaza Shopping Mall, said, "Last year, we stayed open until 3am on the eve of Eid day, but this time there are no customers late at night. Due to security concerns, many people are not staying outside after 10pm."

With only a few days left before Eid, smaller shops and average stores report a 20% to 30% decrease in sales compared to last year, while larger brand stores in the capital have experienced steady sales.

Ashikur Rahman Tuhin, managing director of local fashion brand Klothen, said, "Eid-ul-Fitr accounts for about 50% of our annual sales, while Eid-ul-Adha contributes around 20%. The remaining 30% of sales are spread out over the rest of the year, with winter sales also being quite important." 

Tuhin added that this year's Eid sales have felt more like those during other seasonal events, such as Pahela Baishakh, with a lack of bulk buyers who typically purchase gifts for others.