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The businesses experienced a buoyant sale during Durga Puja this year, compared to the last two years.
This year’s Puja, the biggest festival for Hindus in the country, started with Mahashashthi on Sunday.
Traders expressed their happiness with last-minute crowd sales in the various markets of the capital.
They said that due to the shock of the Covid-19 pandemic, the business was a bit stagnant during the Durga Puja for the past two years.
But this year, the businesses and common lifestyle returned to normalcy, thanks to the subsiding of the spread of the pandemic.
Talking to Dhaka Tribune, Biplob Saha, owner of Bishwa Rang, said that the sales on this year’s Durga Puja are better than that of the last two years.
“There was enthusiasm and willingness to purchase among the buyers. All boutique house owners registered good sales on the occasion of Durga Puja,” he added.
However, the impact of the ongoing economic crisis and inflationary pressure was also visible on the visage of the buyers, he added, noting that there was a sense of excitement in the shopping. But at the same time, there was anxiety.
The owners of the various brands said that this year’s Puja sales have increased by at least 15%-16% compared to last year’s sales.
According to the information from several shops in Bashundhara City, New Market, Dhanmondi and Mirpur areas of the capital, the traders said that the sales of sarees, salwar-kameez, pajamas-punjabi, shirts-pants, dhutis, shoes, and jewellery have experienced a robust growth on the occasion of Durga Puja of this year.
They also said that they have a good preparation for the Durga Puja as they have picked up new and exclusive designs of clothes.
Moreover, there were also special discounts to attract buyers.
The sales of some have surpassed to pre-pandemic level and they have expressed their satisfaction with the robust sale.
A salesperson from Aarong of Bashundhara City said that their outlet experienced positive vibes in selling sarees, dhuti, punjabis and pajamas on the occasion of Puja along with that of in selling jewelery products and gift items.
A salesperson from Anjan’s said that they introduced 30 types of designed apparel products on the occasion of Puja.
Moreover, the brand has brought eight special packages of similar clothes for all members of the family.
He said that compared to last year, they got better response from the buyers.
Shamim Sarkar, branch manager of Gentle Park’s Mirpur-10 outlet, said that 45 of their 49 sales outlets across the country have been able to meet the sales target during Durga Puja.
“Compared to the last season, their growth has been more than 15%,” he added.
Sales persons from Darjibari, Le Reve, and Artisan said that they have sold more than 50%-70% of their target and sales have increased by around 15%-30% compared to last year.
Apart from clothing, the sale of shoes in Puja has also jumped at a mentionable rate.
Apex, Bata, Bay, Jenny’s and other top brands launched around 30-80 new designs on the occasion of Durga Puja and the brands also saw a robust growth in selling compared to last year’s Puja season, and this has been around 15% more.
Some famous online cosmetics shops also saw growth in their sales.
Talking to Dhaka Tribune, Shaheen Ahmed, president of the Fashion Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh (FEAB), said that compared to last two years’ Puja seasons, sales were much higher and customers were also shopping more this year.
A number of entrepreneurs’ sales have almost reached pre-pandemic levels. The selling is well in shops across the country as well as in the capital, he added.
Asked about estimated sales figures , he said that they were yet to determine any amount at this moment as Puja will end on Wednesday, and sale was still going on.
They will reveal the sales figures once Puja ends, he added..
According to the traders, the two Eids account for about 70% of all festival sales in Bangladesh while the rest take place during Pahela Baishakh and Durga Puja.
(DT)
