Garment stalls reappear amid lockdown in Punjab

Many traders abandoned the outlets after Eid

LAHORE: Roadside garment stalls that include shops on wheels have started to reappear alongside the biggest gents garment market of the province to exploit the lockdown restriction that barred all markets from operating after 7 pm on weekdays and from opening on weekends.

The stalls, some of which are on Moulana Shoukat Ali Road and the majority on Wahdat Road, first appeared along the roads about two weeks before Eidul Fitr in May.

Garment shops on wheels attract crowds

Initially, there were only a few cars, with garment hanging from the vehicles, but within days, considering the crowd, the stalls were attracting several other garment sellers, making both the roads drive-by shopping streets.

After Eid, many traders abandoned the roadside stalls but within two weeks the garment sellers have again started to reappear at the same points.

Muhammad Afzal, from Banaras Ki Hati, said that people do not want to adjust to the government-enforced timings. “People either want to shop on weekends or at around 9pm when the weather has cooled down,” he said.

He maintained that roadside stalls were attracting far more customers than the shops located in narrow alleyways of the market.

“During the day I attend to my customers at my shop, however, in evenings and on weekends, I operate from my mobile garment shop,” said Afzal.

He continued that shopkeepers of the market are not allowing stalls in front of their shops, which is why many stall owners had no option but to take their business to the roads.

Garment stores lack summer wear

“The best part about the road stalls is that the sales are efficient and there is no overhead expenditure,” he said.

Another stall owner, Abdul Hameed, said they have to make a living, which is why they have headed to the roadside.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 22^nd, 2020.