Excited shoppers make the most of discounts

Dolmen Mall Clifton introduced Aug 14 shopping night to replicate Boxing Day sales abroad.

KARACHI: For those residents of Karachi who lined up outside Macy’s in the US for Black Friday or Harrod’s in the UK for Boxing Day sales, there is good news. Dolmen Mall Clifton has introduced an all-night shopping spree with extensive discounts on the eve of Independence Day.

Shehnaz, a resident, was not impressed by the Boxing Day sale in the US as it was very crowded. “This is definitely better,” she claimed as she clutched several shopping bags and strolled around the mall with her husband. “Apnay Independence Day ki baat hi kuch aur hai [There is something special about our own Independence Day],” she said proudly.



On the eve of the country’s 67th Independence Day, the mall in Clifton followed the example of shopping sprees abroad and introduced sales of up to 25 per cent. Shopaholics went wild over the sales, which were schedule to last till early morning. In the mall heavily adorned with balloons, flags, and green and white buntings, jostling crowds made their way to Khaadi - the most popular store in the mall by the looks of the queues outside.

Afshan Minhaj, who quickly sifted through lawn suits, had already brought four. “I am excited because we hardly have any sales here,” she said, excitedly. “Such events should be held regularly.” Women stood in long queues at the cashier as their husband and children waited outside.

Another customer, Samreena, turned up with her daughter in green clothes but she was more excited about the Independence Day celebrations than the discounts. “I can’t take my children to Sea View or any public place because young men will be firing in celebration,” she pointed out. “The best place is these malls that provide a secure environment - and sales too.”

Maaz Bin Junaid of the mall’s marketing department said that the aim was to motivate customers to come and celebrate independence by shopping. “This is a gift from us to celebrate Pakistan.”  He said that 150 shops out of the 200 were participating in the shopping spree.

Some families, such as Abdul Wahab’s, came all the way from Hub Chowki to enjoy the festivities. Getting a picture taken behind a replica of the Badshahi Mosque, he said: “A friend told me about the celebrations and I came here.” Abdul Wahab and his wife enjoyed the decorations as they waited for the crowds to sing the national anthem as soon as the clock struck 12.

The mall’s ground floor was occupied by radio jockeys who tried to set the patriotic mood by singing national songs. “We have a surprise for you at 12,” shouted one. As ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ blared from the speakers, a young boy, Saad, wanted everyone to pledge not to throw garbage on the streets.

Sixty seconds before midnight, the crowd broke into a roaring countdown as a band played on. Balloons were released and fireworks emerged as jubilant people clapped and cheered, waving their flags.  Five minutes later, the band played the national anthem as the crowd eagerly lent their voices and the shoppers hurried back to their favourite stores.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2013.