As Eid spending spirals, middle-class shoppers get some relief at Ctg’s Zahur Hawkers Market

Amid soaring prices of clothing at upscale shopping malls in Chattogram ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, middle- and lower-middle-income families are struggling to shop within their limited budgets.

The relentless rise in prices of essential commodities has increased household expenses, forcing many to cut back on Eid shopping this year.

As a result, a large number of buyers are turning to the city's traditional municipal Zahur Ahmed Hawkers Market, where comparatively affordable yet decent-quality clothing and accessories are available.

Over the past few days, the market has seen a noticeable rise in both customer turnout and sales, with Eid clothing for all age groups available at reasonable prices.

Sajjad Hossain, a private-sector employee from the Oxygen area of the city, said that although he usually shops at New Market or large shopping centres every year, the current situation has forced him to visit the hawkers market with his family.

With the sharp increase in prices of essentials such as rice, lentils and cooking oil, it has become impossible to buy desired clothing from upscale markets within the budget allocated for Eid shopping.

To manage rising household costs, he said, he has had to give up personal and family preferences and opt for more affordable alternatives.

Sharing a similar experience, housewife Ayesha Akter said maintaining a balance between income and expenses has become extremely difficult for ordinary people in the current market situation.

"At big shopping malls, each outfit costs several thousand taka, which is beyond the purchasing capacity of families like ours," she said.

She came to Zahur Hawkers Market to bring Eid joy to her children and managed to buy clothes for her three children for only Tk2,500.

Amid skyrocketing prices in upscale markets, Zahur Hawkers Market has now become a key destination for lower- and middle-income families for Eid shopping.

A visit to the market showed a large collection of women's three-piece suits and other fashionable outfits this Eid season.

Depending on quality, three-piece sets are available here between Tk500 and Tk1,500.

From comfortable cotton clothing to more decorative party dresses, buyers can find a wide range within affordable limits.

Once known mainly for selling second-hand imported clothing, the market has now evolved into one of the major wholesale and retail hubs for locally and internationally manufactured garments, gaining the trust of middle-class buyers.

The collection of men's traditional panjabis, a key item for Eid, has also seen new styles this year.

Experienced traders, many of whom have been in the clothing business for generations, are selling quality panjabis priced between Tk1,000 and Tk2,000.

Adult T-shirts are available for Tk250 to Tk300, while belts are priced between Tk150 and Tk250.

Children's clothing is also attracting buyers, with outfits for young children available between Tk60 and Tk150.

Shirts are selling for Tk400 to Tk1,000, while trousers range between Tk400 and Tk700. 

Three-piece sets are priced between Tk500 and Tk1,500, and two-piece outfits and tops are also being sold at affordable prices.

Maintaining the tradition of selling products with modest profit margins, the market remains crowded with shoppers from morning until night.

Jalal Uddin, member secretary of the convener committee of the Zahur Hawkers Traders' Association, told TBS that the market has long been popular among ordinary and low-income people due to comparatively lower prices.

"However, the situation is somewhat different this year, as the unusual rise in prices of essential commodities has pushed middle-class buyers to flock to the hawkers market in large numbers," he said.

He added that many customers first visit large shopping malls to compare prices but eventually return to this market to buy clothing at more affordable rates.

Commenting on the overall situation, SM Nazer Hossain, vice-president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), told TBS that the price pressure is now being felt not only in the essential commodities market but also in Eid clothing.

"Due to the rising cost of living, it has become very difficult for middle-class families to shop for everyone within a fixed budget.

Under mounting financial pressure, many people are now being compelled to leave large shopping malls and turn to comparatively cheaper markets like Zahur Hawkers Market," he said.