Winter apparel sales surge as mercury dips

Street cuisine also changes to cater to seasonal demand

RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD:

The demand for warm winter clothes has seen a sharp rise in the twin cities with the significant decrease in temperatures in recent days. With the increase in cold, the rates of warm clothes have increased in flea markets as well as major clothing stores in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

A large number of street vendors are also visible on the streets of the twin cities hawking their wares. In this, they have competition from food vendors as well and they offer winter specialities to capitalise on seasonal demands.

The number of sellers of cuisines and food items popular in winter ranging from soup, gaajar ka halwa (carrot-based dessert), Kashmiri tea, fried fish, nuts and dry fruit have jumped, particularly in Islamabad, where they are also trendy.

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A similar situation persists in the garrison city, where street vendors can be found along popular locations such as Murree Road, Saddar Bazaar, Hospital Road, Railway Road, Liaquat Road, Iqbal Road, Commercial Market, Kacheri Road, Syedpur Road, Pirwadhai, and Sadiqabad.

Some vendors operate late into the night, typically until 1am, offering a wide range of jackets, warm coats, and sweaters. The food hawkers often can be found close by.

The presence of these street vendors often causes traffic congestion, impacting small and large markets throughout the city and cantonment areas.

In the garrison city, some of the street hawkers have permission from the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation as well as the cantonment board for their roadside setup.

In addition to the sale of secondhand winter clothing, there is a growing market for new jackets in various designs and colours. The availability of these winter garments on street carts has influenced the sales of larger retail companies, as the prices from the street vendors are up to 50 per cent lower than those found in traditional shops.

These street carts also offer a variety of designs, including options made in China, with prices ranging from Rs350 to Rs500. While the vendors may initially quote prices from Rs500 to Rs1,000, they often sell these items for Rs350 to Rs600. Families find these affordable options appealing, especially considering that similar items can be priced from Rs2,500 to Rs7,000 in larger retail stores.

As the sun sets, these street carts pop up in various parts of the city, offering a diverse selection of warm clothing for men, women, and children.

Cuisine change

Despite the popularity of food franchises and ready-to-eat snacks available at supermarkets, traditional food remains popular with its demand experiencing a seasonal surge with the onset of winter.

In the capital, various markets and businesses have set up winter-themed arenas offering seasonal food.

A vendor selling fish commented that its consumption multiplies in the winter, which was evident from a dramatic surge in their sale with the beginning of cold weather.

The Kashmiri pink tea is equally popular despite its tough competition from tea. Both beverages remain popular among the youth, said one college student.

One of the most popular Punjabi cuisines, the sarsoon ka saag (a nourishing blend of spinach, mustard, and fenugreek), starts appearing on menus with its tempting aroma wafting through street corners. It is accompanied by makkai kee roti (maize-based flatbread) and lassi (buttermilk).

A popular winter dessert is the gaajar ka halwa (carrot-based pudding), with one roadside eater saying her family had visited the same food outlet for the second time this week as the halwa was difficult to prepare at home due to low gas pressure.

With additional input from APP

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 30^th, 2023.