Second-hand luxuries: 'Even used clothes are unaffordable'
Even Landa Bazaars have been adversely affected by overall price-hike in the country.
PESHAWAR:
Once crowded and regarded as “a poor man’s luxury”, the used-clothes markets in Peshawar city’s Landa Bazaars have been adversely affected by the overall price-hike in the country.
Traders have complained that the prices they paid to purchase second-hand clothes from the United States of America (US), United Kingdom (UK) and Korea have increased drastically due to the depreciation in value of the Pakistani Rupee. Additionally, the rising cost of living has forced traders to increase the prices of used clothing, which locals are unable to afford.
Hassan Gul, a trader told The Express Tribune at Peshawar Saddar market that the price-hike has severely affected his business. He said that packages of imported second-hand clothing he used to buy at Rs10,000 now cost around Rs15,000 to Rs20,000. Most of the second hand clothes are brought from USA, UK and Korea, although the better quality clothes are come from UK, he said.
Gul said that given the increase in costs, the items he used to sell at Rs200, he is not forced to sell at Rs400.
“Buyers prefer second-hand items due to the fact that these are more durable than local products in the market,” said Gul. But the rise in prices has reduced customers along with his income.
He added that most of the bigger traders go to Karachi to purchase second-hand items from Lea Market and sell them to smaller traders here in Peshawar.
Fardeen, another trader who deals in second hand quilts and bedding material said that prices of items have gone up due to price hikes of petroleum products and electricity. “You see for yourself, is there anything else coming cheap?” he asked.
He said that a consignment costs Rs2,000 to reach Peshawar from Karachi, adding that items coming from the UK cost Rs80 per kilogram and around Rs65 per kg from other countries.
He said that the prices of the beddings depended on amount of polyester in it and the greater it is, the more pricy they are.
He said that a single polyester items sell between Rs350 to Rs400, while double items are sold between Rs500 to Rs1000. He said that he buys these items per kilogram and sells them per piece.
He said that he pays Rs1,500 as shop rent and Rs400 per month for electricity and as household expenditure has also gone up, they cannot afford to sell on cheap rates.
Liaqat, another clothing dealer, said that their sales increase during winter, as people who cannot afford to buy expensive local variety from market, so they prefer second-hand items.
Liaqat said that socks, sweaters and other items are in great demand these days as the cold was increasing with each passing day.
Mohammad Tariq, a shopper, told The Express Tribune that the price hike has “frozen out the poor man from his last resort for warmth”. Pointing to the deserted market, he said that it was once crowded by people at this time of the day, but now you hardly see people around.
“I came to buy warm clothes for my children, but the high prices these shopkeepers are demanding, I will have to go home empty handed.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 22nd, 2010.
Once crowded and regarded as “a poor man’s luxury”, the used-clothes markets in Peshawar city’s Landa Bazaars have been adversely affected by the overall price-hike in the country.
Traders have complained that the prices they paid to purchase second-hand clothes from the United States of America (US), United Kingdom (UK) and Korea have increased drastically due to the depreciation in value of the Pakistani Rupee. Additionally, the rising cost of living has forced traders to increase the prices of used clothing, which locals are unable to afford.
Hassan Gul, a trader told The Express Tribune at Peshawar Saddar market that the price-hike has severely affected his business. He said that packages of imported second-hand clothing he used to buy at Rs10,000 now cost around Rs15,000 to Rs20,000. Most of the second hand clothes are brought from USA, UK and Korea, although the better quality clothes are come from UK, he said.
Gul said that given the increase in costs, the items he used to sell at Rs200, he is not forced to sell at Rs400.
“Buyers prefer second-hand items due to the fact that these are more durable than local products in the market,” said Gul. But the rise in prices has reduced customers along with his income.
He added that most of the bigger traders go to Karachi to purchase second-hand items from Lea Market and sell them to smaller traders here in Peshawar.
Fardeen, another trader who deals in second hand quilts and bedding material said that prices of items have gone up due to price hikes of petroleum products and electricity. “You see for yourself, is there anything else coming cheap?” he asked.
He said that a consignment costs Rs2,000 to reach Peshawar from Karachi, adding that items coming from the UK cost Rs80 per kilogram and around Rs65 per kg from other countries.
He said that the prices of the beddings depended on amount of polyester in it and the greater it is, the more pricy they are.
He said that a single polyester items sell between Rs350 to Rs400, while double items are sold between Rs500 to Rs1000. He said that he buys these items per kilogram and sells them per piece.
He said that he pays Rs1,500 as shop rent and Rs400 per month for electricity and as household expenditure has also gone up, they cannot afford to sell on cheap rates.
Liaqat, another clothing dealer, said that their sales increase during winter, as people who cannot afford to buy expensive local variety from market, so they prefer second-hand items.
Liaqat said that socks, sweaters and other items are in great demand these days as the cold was increasing with each passing day.
Mohammad Tariq, a shopper, told The Express Tribune that the price hike has “frozen out the poor man from his last resort for warmth”. Pointing to the deserted market, he said that it was once crowded by people at this time of the day, but now you hardly see people around.
“I came to buy warm clothes for my children, but the high prices these shopkeepers are demanding, I will have to go home empty handed.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 22nd, 2010.