Eid shopping yet to stir vibe in Islampur

Although Eid-ul-Fitr is drawing near, shopping in Islampur, one of the largest wholesale clothes markets in the country, is yet to gain momentum.

Shoppers were supposed to be busy selling clothes on the eve of the largest festival of Muslims. However, the scenario is different this time.

Different types of clothes, including three-piece sets, salwar-kameez, saris, shirts-pants and panjabis, are available here at wholesale prices. Also available are clothes from popular foreign brands.

When asked about how the sales are this time, mixed responses were received from traders.

Some said every time the sales start after mid-Shaban, but this time, the sales started a little late. Others said the sales were not satisfactory this time.
Even though sales were good at the beginning of Ramadan, the number of buyers is now much less, some traders said.

There are more than 4,000 registered shops under the Islampur Textile Traders Association. Besides, there are thousands of small and unregistered shops.

This time, the prices of clothes have increased by Tk150-200 per piece due to an increase in dollar rate, inflation, additional import charges, VAT and an increase in production cost.

According to the information provided by the traders, depending on the quality and work, each panjabi is available at Tk600-2,000 and three-piece sets of different crafts and colours are available at Tk700-2,500.

Each shirt costs Tk600-1,200 while bed sheets are selling at Tk160-180 per yard and veils at Tk140-160 depending on the quality.

Crafted door and window curtains with four folds are available at Tk1,000 and those with six folds at Tk1,500 and non-crafted coloured curtains are available at Tk400-500 per piece

During a visit, this correspondent found Islampur's Madina Building, Haji Shamsuddin Mansion, Haji Sharfuddin Mansion, Haji Yusuf Mansion, Amanullah Complex, Latif Tower, A Mabud Rain Tower, Lion Tower, Sonar Bangla Market and surrounding business establishments well decorated.

A lot of retail buyers were seen flocking to wholesale shops hoping for slightly lower prices. Goods are being loaded and unloaded at the intersection. The workers are carrying the goods on their heads as the roads are crowded with vehicles.

Law forces are active at every road junction in Islampur for the safety of shoppers.

Meanwhile, the customers expressed their satisfaction with the security measures but expressed their anger about the nagging traffic congestion.

Mamun Sheikh, owner of Fabrics in Islampur China Market, said the sales were good for a few days after Shab-e-Barat. After that, the sales decreased for a few days, but have now increased slightly.

He expressed the hope that the sales will increase ahead of Eid.

Rafiqul Haque, a wholesale buyer from Khulna, said, “I bought some clothes before Shab-e-Barat. Those were sold out. So, I’ve come here to buy more. However, the shopkeepers are asking for more in prices.”

Russell, a clothes seller in Islampur, said the prices of clothes are slightly higher this year, which prompted many buyers to leave after bargaining.

He said clothes were sold almost twice last year by this time.