Last moment rush for Eid shopping in Barisal markets

Though Eid-ul-Fitr is just a few days away, shopping for the festival has been slow in Barisal city due to inclement weather. Eid shoppers were interrupted six times yesterday due to rain.
However, last moment shopping for kitchen items, caps, attar, spices and cosmetics has gone up significantly.
Shoppers said that the prices of pilau rice, red meat, chicken, milk, vermicelli, some spices used in sweetmeats and rich food items have increased in the past week. Market sources said traders were cashing in on the increased demand and poor supplies before Eid. Rates of all types of spices, including cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaves, coriander, and cloves have gone up.
The price of vermicelli—the traditional Eid delicacy—is steep due to low production following recent anti-adulteration drives and the high cost of ingredients, according to traders in the city.
Special lachchha of different varieties are being sold at posh confectioneries and sweetmeat shops for between Tk. 150 and Tk. 600 per kg.
The prices of beef and mutton rose to Tk. 450 and Tk. 650 per kg respectively during the last couple of days. The demand for and price of country chicken are also increasing day by day.  Caps and attar are two necessary items for attending the Eid congressional prayer. “The volume of caps and attar sold during the period accounts for more than 50 per cent of their annual demand. The sale begins from first day of Ramadan and will continue till the day of Eid,” said Motahar Hossain, owner of a cap shop at Hemayetuddin Road Kasai Mosque, the largest retail market for caps in the city.
Caps imported from other countries are becoming popular among high-and middle-income people, who prefer them even at 10 times the price of locally manufactured caps. The prices of most of the imported caps range between Tk. 150 and Tk. 400.  The retailers said that the market share of local caps would shrink even further unless producers bring about changes in style, stitch-work and quality.
Tiny bottles of attar are selling at prices ranging between Tk. 100 and Tk. 2,500. Attar from countries like Spain, China, France, Holland, Switzerland, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Iran are also available at various markets.
Eid card shops all over the city are crowded with last-minute customers. Shopkeepers are offering nearly 200 varieties of cards collected from different parts of the country and even from India and Pakistan this year. Prices range from Tk. 5 to Tk. 400 per card. The sales of the cards have been very much satisfactory.
Customers send these cards to their friends and relatives through courier services. Various private firms, political leaders, NGOs, social organisations, social leaders, and influential persons also publish their own Eid cards to be sent to near and dear ones.

 

Last moment rush for Eid shopping in Barisal markets

Though Eid-ul-Fitr is just a few days away, shopping for the festival has been slow in Barisal city due to inclement weather. Eid shoppers were interrupted six times yesterday due to rain. However, last moment shopping for kitchen items, caps, attar, spices and cosmetics has gone up significantly. Shoppers said that the prices of pilau rice, red meat, chicken, milk, vermicelli, some spices used in sweetmeats and rich food items have increased in the past week. Market sources said traders were cashing in on the increased demand and poor supplies before Eid. Rates of all types of spices, including cardamom, cinnamon, bay leaves, coriander, and cloves have gone up. The price of vermicellithe traditional Eid delicacyis steep due to low production following recent anti-adulteration drives and the high cost of ingredients, according to traders in the city. Special lachchha of different varieties are being sold at posh confectioneries and sweetmeat shops for between Tk. 150 and Tk. 600 per kg. The prices of beef and mutton rose to Tk. 450 and Tk. 650 per kg respectively during the last couple of days. The demand for and price of country chicken are also increasing day by day. Caps and attar are two necessary items for attending the Eid congressional prayer. The volume of caps and attar sold during the period accounts for more than 50 per cent of their annual demand. The sale begins from first day of Ramadan and will continue till the day of Eid, said Motahar Hossain, owner of a cap shop at Hemayetuddin Road Kasai Mosque, the largest retail market for caps in the city. Caps imported from other countries are becoming popular among high-and middle-income people, who prefer them even at 10 times the price of locally manufactured caps. The prices of most of the imported caps range between Tk. 150 and Tk. 400. The retailers said that the market share of local caps would shrink even further unless producers bring about changes in style, stitch-work and quality. Tiny bottles of attar are selling at prices ranging between Tk. 100 and Tk. 2,500. Attar from countries like Spain, China, France, Holland, Switzerland, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Iran are also available at various markets. Eid card shops all over the city are crowded with last-minute customers. Shopkeepers are offering nearly 200 varieties of cards collected from different parts of the country and even from India and Pakistan this year. Prices range from Tk. 5 to Tk. 400 per card. The sales of the cards have been very much satisfactory. Customers send these cards to their friends and relatives through courier services. Various private firms, political leaders, NGOs, social organisations, social leaders, and influential persons also publish their own Eid cards to be sent to near and dear ones.