Eid shopping picks up pace in Ctg after first week of Ramadan

Chattogram's shopping malls are experiencing a high volume of Eid shoppers in the first week of Ramadan, driven by the prompt receipt of February salaries. This led to encouraging shoppers to hit the malls early, without waiting for their bonuses, to make their purchases for the festival.

Business owners are optimistic that sales will reach expected levels after the 15th of Ramadan, which traditionally marks the peak of Eid shopping.

According to the Bangladesh Shop Owners Association, there are approximately 60,000 clothing stores in Chattogram city and district areas. The city boasts 15 upscale shopping malls, 58 general shopping centers, and 101 market-based organisations falling under the association's jurisdiction. 

Terribazar: A hub for early Eid shopping

Terribazar, one of the busiest areas in the port city, has been bustling with shoppers since the beginning of Ramadan. The wholesale and retail markets are filled with an extensive range of clothing items, including colorful dresses, sarees, punjabis, shirts, and pants, as well as Zakat materials, bed sheets, and curtains. 

The market is especially popular among female shoppers, who have been buying unstitched fabrics and three-piece suits for tailoring in time for Eid.

Terribazar has expanded over the years to include numerous shopping malls, such as New Rajpari, Sana Fashion, Sharika, and Mone Rekho. Many sarees, and lehengas sold in these malls are imported from Indian cities like Chennai, Kolkata, and Jaipur, offering shoppers a wide array of designs. 

Reazuddin Bazar, a bustling wholesale hub, is home to about 15,000 shops, with roughly 50% operating as wholesalers. After Shab-e-Barat, the market sees a significant uptick in activity, with shoppers preparing for Eid. 

Festive atmosphere across markets

Abdul Mannan, the president of the Terribazar Business Association, commented on the early Eid shopping rush, stating that this year's market has taken on a festive atmosphere. 

He added, "Eid shopping commenced right after Shab-e-Barat, and the market has seen a higher turnout of shoppers compared to previous years due to timely disbursements of February salary."

On a visit to Chattogram's New Market, shop owners have curated collections from various regions, including Pabna, Sirajganj, and Jamdani Palli in Dhaka. 

Khalifa Patti's role in the eid shopping rush

Khalifa Patti, another renowned area in Chattogram, is home to 300 factories and 150 showrooms that employ around 6,000 workers producing both local and international designs.

According to Nurul Islam, president of the Khalifa Patti Merchant Welfare Association, each sewing worker can earn approximately Tk30,000 during the Ramadan as they work around the clock to meet demand.

Eid shopping fairs by online entrepreneurs

According to Chattogram Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the port city is home to about 2,500 boutique houses, with around 1,000 operating their own manufacturing facilities.

Chattogram is also witnessing a rise in Eid shopping fairs organised by online-based female entrepreneurs. These fairs, which offer a variety of products including clothing and cosmetics, are held at community centers and open fields throughout the city.

The Chattogram Combined Hawkers Federation also reports that there are around 22,000 makeshift shops in the city, with 15,000 specialising in clothing, footwear, and cosmetics. During the Eid season, these shops generate an estimated 8 lakh taka in sales each.

With early rush of buyers in malls, Chattogram's markets are expected to remain busy throughout the Ramadan period.