LAHORE: Shopping for Eidul Fitr has been a low-key affair in the provincial capital this year, with people complaining of high prices and traders worrying about fewer sales than last year.

However, shopping has gathered momentum as Eid nears. The number of visitors to commercial hubs has been increasing soon after Iftar and a large number of shoppers can be seen in vehicles, searching for parking space near markets till late hours.

But traders said the number of ‘real buyers’ has considerably decreased compared to last year as most shoppers come and leave shops after checking prices.

During a visit to M.M. Alam Road and Model Town Link Road (both business markets are frequently visited by rich and upper middle-income groups) on late Wednesday, more rush was witnessed in shoe shops than outlets dealing in gents, women and children garments.

Even traders displaying sale offers at ready-made garments shops were seen waiting for customers in both markets.

A good number of men, women and children were seen searching for shoes at different brand outlets while branded ready-made garments shops gave a deserted look on M.M. Alam Road.

The families, however, visited such shops in large numbers at Liberty Market and Karim Block Market where discount offers were around 50 per cent.

At Anarkali Bazaar, considered to be the shopping place for the poor and lower-income groups, most shopkeepers were sitting idle waiting for customers.

Interestingly, stalls selling bangles and mehndi (henna) at Bano Bazaar could not attract many customers till evening.

“The number of customers has dropped and sales have decreased against average daily target set for salesmen due to declining purchasing power and inflation,” said garments trader Muhammad Irfan at H.M. Hayat & Sons. “I have put most merchandise — suits and clothes — on sale, but received only a couple of customers since Thursday morning.”

Another garments trader, Sheikh Abdul Waheed, said Eid-related sales have halved compared to last year. “We have multiple problems, especially lack of enough parking space, at Anarkali Bazaar. We have been urging the government through leaders of our associations to come with solutions to attract customers having middle and lower income,” he said.

“As the prices of gents, ladies and children garments and shoes have gone out of the reach of a middle-class family, we are searching some outlets offering better quality goods at affordable prices,” said Farhan Adil who had come to Model Town Link Road from Iqbal Town. Even children garments appeared to be more costly this time around, he added.

Two women customers at Anarkali Bazaar told this reporter that they were unable to buy ready-made garments and shoes for their children despite an hour’s effort because traders were charging too much. “We are going back home without buying anything as it is beyond our purse.”

Nadeem Butt, a trader at Karim Block market, also complained about fewer sales this Eid, citing price hike as the major reason. “Against the daily target of Rs50,000 sales ahead of Eid, I hardly reach Rs30,000 a day.”

As the mushroom growth of beauty salons/parlours is also in swing across the city, women of all ages have been turning up for a variety of services on offer. Majority of saloons were booked in advance.

“I am here to get beauty treatment,” said Mrs Jadoon. “I had to wait for at least 30 minutes to get my turn because of rush at the saloon.”

Ashraf Bhatti, the president of Anjuman Tajiran Anarkali Bazaar, said the number of customers has dropped significantly during this Ramazan because of multiple factors. “I see a decrease of 10pc to 15pc in daily sales this Ramazan compared to last year. Some other traders complain of even bigger decline.”

Bhatti said it was strange that despite being the cheapest market of the city, the customers’ turnover at Anarkali was low.

“On the eve of religious festivals, the government should control rise in prices to provide relief to the common man,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2015

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