High sales: At sit-ins, umbrella vendors singing in the rain

Salesmen say demand highest for umbrellas matching colours of PTI, PAT flags.

ISLAMABAD:

While rains and the scorching heat may be problematic for many, it has proved a blessing in disguise for vendors selling umbrellas who seen cash pouring into their pockets thanks to participants of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) sit-ins.

Sunday was another scorching day in the capital, but it turned pleasant with in the evening with a brief shower. Umbrellas are the main source of shelter for protesters to protect themselves from soaring temperature and rains.

Due to lack of tents or any other shelter, umbrellas were the only option for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek workers.

Vendors have field days given the demand from the sit-ins participants for umbrellas.

Rally participants have used umbrellas to protect themselves from the elements. PHOTOS: RIZWAN SHEHZAD & AGHA MEHROZ/EXPRESS

Muhammad Salih, a vendor, said that he first started selling pop-corns but soon he realised and saw the high demand for umbrellas among the participants.

The vendors said that they earn “sizeable” profits on a daily basis by selling umbrellas. They said that buy them in bulk from the umbrellas from Raja Bazar Rawalpindi for Rs100 to Rs120 per umbrella.

Salih said that he sold 40 umbrellas in just three hours on Sunday for Rs200 each. “I am expecting more sales if the temperature jumps or if it rains again in the coming days,” he said.

The vendors have also started checking weather forecasts by regularly reading newspapers and watching TV channels. In both cases, they expect a good sale.

“Whether it rains or not, we sell a lot of umbrellas every day,” said Majid Ali, another vendor.

Ali said that a large number of PTI female supporters have remained their potential customers since they arrived in the capital.

Vendors have set up stalls at various points at the venues of the sit-ins. Vendors were also seen roaming around to sell umbrellas.

To attract marchers, the vendors have kept a sizeable collection of umbrellas which match the colours of both parties’ flags.

“We try to bring enough umbrellas that match the colours of the PAT and PTI flags,” said Ali.

The vendors said PAT supporters were more practical, explaining that while they gave preference to party flag colours, they would buy any other option if their prime choices were unavailable, while PTI supporters would move on. “We try to bring enough umbrellas that match the colours of the PAT and PTI flags,” said Ali.

Arifa Hamid, a PTI participant from Rawalpindi, who was buying an umbrella, said that as there were few tents at the sit-in venue, umbrellas were the only option for protection from the scorching heat or rains.

“I will keep it so that I don’t have to run for shelter when it rains,” she said adding that the umbrellas have become an integral part of their life these days.

Some participants, who forget to get their umbrellas from homes, said they have to buy a new one daily. “I keep forgetting my umbrella at home and have to buy new ones, but this, time I will keep it in my car,” said Maryam Junaid, another PTI supporter.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2014.