Dhaka malls and markets bustling with Eid shoppers

Dhaka Malls and Markets Witness a Surge in Eid Shopping

On Friday, the second weekly holiday of this year’s Ramadan, shopping malls, markets, and fashion houses across the city experienced a significant influx of customers.

A large number of Eid shoppers flocked to popular shopping destinations, including Bashundhara City Shopping Mall in Panthapath, Pink City in Gulshan, Jamuna Future Park in Kuril, as well as shops in Elephant Road, Mouchak Market, New Market, Chandni Chawk, Gausia, and various other locations. Many visited with their loved ones to purchase their preferred products ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.

Several shoppers mentioned that they prefer shopping early in Ramadan to avoid traffic congestion and overwhelming crowds while selecting clothes, shoes, and accessories.

Tahmina Binte Noor, a housewife, follows the tradition of completing her Eid shopping at the beginning of Ramadan. She visited Bashundhara City Shopping Mall with her husband and seven-year-old daughter on Friday.

"I find it convenient to shop early, as the rush intensifies later. Leading shopping outlets introduce their Eid collections at least a week before Ramadan, making it easier to find the latest designs," she shared.

She purchased frocks for her daughter and sarees for her mother, mother-in-law, and sisters-in-law, while also looking for punjabis for her father-in-law and husband, along with shoes for her daughter.

When asked about the pricing of outfits this year, she found them reasonable.

Many children also enjoyed shopping with their parents and guardians.

During a visit to a shoe store on Elephant Road, four-and-a-half-year-old Shah Makhdum Ruposh was overjoyed after receiving a pair of baby lighting shoes from his grandfather. Wearing his new red shoes, he cheerfully said, “Thank you, Nanu Bhai (grandfather). These are really special.”

Local fashion house owners have prepared extensively for the season and are pleased with customer turnout.

"We have introduced a wide range of designs by experimenting with motifs and fabrics. Even though this is just the second weekend of Ramadan, many customers have already started visiting our outlets. We expect their numbers to rise further," said Shaheen Ahmmed, owner of fashion house Anjan’s.

However, some traders were seen waiting for more customers. Md Rubel, a salesperson at a jewelry shop in Chandni Chawk, noted that most women and girls purchase jewelry closer to Eid, after selecting their outfits.

Meanwhile, tailoring shops at Chandni Chawk and Gausia have already stopped taking new orders due to overwhelming demand.

Kazi Kamal Uddin, owner of Nipun Ladies Tailors at Gausia Market, said, “We started accepting Eid orders a month ago, and now we are at full capacity. We are unsure if we will be able to complete all orders in time. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate some of our regular customers.”

Traders anticipate that the rush of Eid shoppers will increase further once government and private sector employees receive their Eid bonuses.