KARACHI: Shopping areas present a festive atmosphere
KARACHI, Dec 15: A festive atmosphere prevails in the city as Ramazan draws to a close. Shopping has reached its speak as only one or two days are left for Eid.
All major shopping centres are thronged by people of all ages and almost all thoroughfares choked due to massive rush and inadequately parked cars. This is at places leading to arguments.
However, people are showing patience in ignoring misdemeanours of others which is in keeping with the spirit of fasting. People are making maximum use of the little time they have before the celebration of Eid.
Roadside vendors are being allowed to expand a little more their temporary stalls of shoes, sandals and others items needed for Eid. They are attracting a large number of customers from the low-income groups.
Children with excitement evident on their faces could be seen attempting to have full glance of the decorations made by shopkeepers. This is apart from their being fully conscious of the clothes and shoes selected by their parents for them.
Both sellers and buyers have their own explanations for the last-minute rush at markets. For shopkeepers, it may be the only time for many of the families to buy the best and selected quality of goods.
Buyers believe that they could get a good bargain and sellers may be compelled to reduce prices at the last minute realizing that a deal may not be as good after Eid.
There are people who have completed their shopping, but still they are making rounds of markets to enjoy the festive occasion.
Shopping in the city showed a declining trend this year as compared with previous three years as a large number of people flocked the major shopping centres only for window shopping.
A survey of markets and shopping centres in Tariq Road, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Haidery, Liaquat Market, Malir, Saddar and Liaquatabad, etc. showed that large numbers of people visited the markets and shopping centres but, as shopkeepers claimed, there were fewer buyers this year.
Buyers faced problems from pick-pockets and rise in prices. Bad traffic arrangements at markets and shopping centres also added to their problems.
Most of the shopkeepers claimed that this year the collection of forcible donation (Bhatta) was unprecedented in all the city markets different organizations and extortionist remained active and ate away a big chunk of their profits.
The middle class faced a major problem in celebrating Eid because of high prices and the falling purchasing power of the currency. This, in turn, had its effect on business.
Sellers said out of every 100 people who visited their shops only about 30 were buyers and the rest mere window shoppers.
In some markets, shopkeepers claimed, the sale of shoes was 30 per cent less than last year’s.
Only in children’s clothes some price stability was seen.—APP\PPI
KARACHI, Dec 15: A festive atmosphere prevails in the city as Ramazan draws to a close. Shopping has reached its speak as only one or two days are left for Eid.
