KARACHI, Oct 30: Markets all over the city are all set to entertain customers who come out in flocks in the month of Ramazan to make most out of their Eid budget. A survey of different shopping centres reveals that costumers' turnout this year is better and retailers are expecting a robust business.

In the last one year, many fabric sellers of gents' shalwar kamiz have entered the business of readymade suits. Many retailers admit that number of buyers has doubled as compared to the last year.

Shopkeepers say that they have nothing new to offer in gents' shalwar kamiz, ladies wear, children garments, etc. Almost same designs and varieties of clothes and garments are put up on display for this Eid. They claim that even prices have not changed when compared to the last year.

An interesting factor is that the market has depth to cater to the needs of all classes of society.

A random survey of the markets shows gents are thronging the shops of kurta centres, a major shift from traditional shalwar kamiz. Several varieties of kurta - georgette, cotton, blended cotton, etc. - are luring the gents and especially the youth. "This shows a major shift in the traditional trend of wearing shalwar kamiz to kurta," many sellers of kurta in the Cooperative Market told Dawn.

Last year the local markets were flooded with Korean and Chinese peach, georgette and stone wash fabrics for gents. This year too, these varieties are dominating but new Korean variety 'Minimate georgette' is attracting youths.

Some cloth sellers say that this year Pakistani georgette is also making inroads in the market, giving tough competition to its Chinese and Korean rivals as it is available at a slight discount.

New Kurta outfits are priced in the range of Rs500 to Rs700 per piece in the Bohri Bazaar andCooperative Market and Rs1,300 to Rs1,500 at posh localities' bazaars. Various varieties of Gul Ahmed and Al-Karam are being sold almost the same rate of the last year. "This year sales are likely to cross the previous records," says a proprietor of a cloth shop in the Cooperative Market.

It is said that Eid is meant for children and rush on children garment shops is increasing by each passing day. Mothers are busy in buying suits for their children. The prices of children suits range from Rs200 to Rs600 depending on the quality.

One of the most traditional and eye-catching items in Eid shopping is bangles. Several new and colourful designs have been showcased. But the interesting feature is that the thaw in India-Pakistan relations is also reflected in the city bazaars as Indian bangles of steel are available in various markets of the city, luring women in general and teenagers in particular. Women are opting for fabrics worn in winters. Suits of linen of medium quality are available in the range of Rs800 to Rs1,200, whereas the prices of cotton suits remained the same of last year between Rs400 to Rs600, and lawn suits in the range of Rs200 to Rs350.

Shoe sales have now become a regular feature as various marriage halls of the city are turned into temporary shopping malls and several brands of shoes are being sold at these palaces at discount that include some renowned brands such as Servis and Bata.

Several shopkeepers say that this year there is a 60-70 per cent increase in genuine buyers. They attribute this increase in number of customers to better law and order situation.

Many buyers complained of the traffic jams. "The city government needs to do more on traffic and parking fronts," said a senior citizen. This year, the buyers are serious; hence a good fortune is destined for the retailers.