Locals on the hunt for bargain clothing in Multan

MULTAN: With winter fast approaching, a large number of locals have started thronging markets selling second-hand woollen clothing at affordable process.

Vendors and shopkeepers claim that this year, a larger number of people are visiting the markets as compared to previous years.

All types of winter gear and accessories, such as gloves, woollen hats, pullovers and jackets, can be spotted displayed at makeshift stalls in large bazaars; these markets can be found at Clock Tower Chowk, Madni Chowk, Gaddafi Chowk, Fountain Chowl and Gardezi Market to name a few.

Nouman Fayyaz, a local, says that he buys second-hand winter clothing from such markets every year. “However, this year the prices of second-hand clothing have increased. Shopkeepers are charging approximately twice the amount they were charging last year,” he explains. On the other hand, vendor Ramzan Hussain says that he purchased the clothing from wholesaler dealers at higher prices which is why he had to increase prices. “An increase in other expenses such as transportation and rent are also major reasons for the price hike,” he adds.

Another shopkeeper, Mumtaz Khan, says that business has been doing well these days. Because these are still the initial days of winter, the demand for warm clothing has risen considerably. “Sales will double in the next few days,” he predicts.

Mushtaq Hussain, a local searching for warm clothing at reasonable rates, states that the bazaars offer cheap and inexpensive clothing for the common man.

A survey of second-hand markets in Multan showed that vendors were demanding Rs500 for a shirt, between Rs1,100 and Rs1,500 for a leather jacket, between Rs350 and Rs500 for trousers and between Rs600 and Rs1,000 for shoes.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2019.