Eid shopping in full swing

With Covid-19 restrictions already lifted, shoppers throng markets, shopping malls

ISLAMABAD:

Eid shopping is picking up momentum in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi as buyers swarm markets and shopping malls all over the city during the last Ashra of Ramazan.

Several local brands have begun displaying their latest Eid editions of dresses, shoes, and other essential accessories to attract buyers and gain maximum profits. Families come out for shopping soon after iftar and are seen buying shoes, cosmetics, ready-made garments, eye-catching artificial jewellery, multi-coloured bangles, and other items for the upcoming festival of Eid ul Fitr.

 A colourful variety of stalls have been set up displaying earrings, glittering bangles, embroidered clothes, and jewellery, said a citizen.

A bangle seller said “The number of customers is gradually picking up and hopefully it will go further up as Eid ul fitr approaches." A customer said, "I have completed shopping for my kids and I have bought clothes and matching shoes."

Hawkers are also making brisk sales of clothes, footwear, cosmetics, and other goods as these products are generally purchased by low-income people ahead of Eid, said another citizen. Several Eid shoppers also complained of overpricing, especially of women's and kids' clothing.

A ready-made garment shop owner said they have a wide variety of clothing to fit people of all ages, especially kids. He said, “These days, kids' related items are in high demand, because every family, whatever its economic position, prefers to buy something for their young ones.”

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The sale of ready-made garments increased in the last days of Ramazan when garment outlets displayed various ready-made clothes on sale which were attracting mothers, said a shopkeeper. A severe rush of customers was witnessed in shops selling on 25 to 50 per cent discounts, said a female.

The low-income people prefer visiting stalls on roadsides and on footpaths because products available on these stalls are less expensive than the other shops, said a motorist.

Eid shopping has gained momentum in Rawalpindi as well a huge rush of buyers is being witnessed in all markets and bazaars. A great rush is being witnessed in almost all shopping malls and bazaars including Bank Road, Adam Jee Road, Chota Bazaar, Commercial Market, Tench Bhatta, People’s Colony, Lal Kurti, Saddar Bazaar, Moti Bazaar, Raja Bazaar, Buni Market, Sadiqabad, Rehmanabad and other markets of the city.

A large number of women and children are thronging to markets and commercial plazas to purchase clothes, footwear, cosmetics, henna, bangles and other items. The shopkeepers have decorated their shops with colourful lights to attract customers. The shopping frenzy is expected to reach its peak on Saturday and Sunday.

Special eid stalls of cosmetic, mehndi and bangles, most demanded items of Eid-ul-Fitr, are nowadays being witnessed everywhere particularly in busy markets and bazaars of the city. As the festival of Eid comes closer, the stalls of beautifully designed colorful bangles, jewellery and mehndi in the markets of the city have been set up which are attracting the female customers.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 30^th, 2022.