High prices of clothes and cosmetics have disheartened Eid shoppers from low income group, a scenario which is reflected by the dearth of buyers in some hawkers’ markets of the capital.
Sales at the city’s Gulistan and Farmgate hawkers’ markets remain quite low although the market at New Market is faring better.
Talking to The Daily Star, many people from the low income group have claimed that to make larger profit, sellers this Eid have increased price of all kinds of garments by Tk 50 to Tk 100 and price of cosmetics by Tk 10 to Tk 30.
But their income has not increased in proportion to the increase in price of garments and cosmetics, they said.
Ahsan Habib, a shopper who works at a private bank, said although his budget was Tk 2,500, he spent Tk 4,000 for Eid shopping for a family of four.
Ahsan, who has an income of Tk 21,000 monthly, said he is worried about how he will cope financially for the rest of the month.
“I am worried about how to manage the remaining days of the current month, as I have already spent a chunk of my salary on house rent, shopping and some other errands ahead of Eid,” he said.
On the other hand, the sellers have said the prices of goods have increased but it is due to high taxes and production cost.
Amajd Hossain, a makeshift shop-owner selling clothes at the city’s New Market area, said the price of shirts that he sells has increased from Tk 200 to Tk 250, price of trousers has increased from Tk 320 to Tk 350 while the price of each three-piece has increased from Tk 400 to Tk 500.
“I had to increase the prices of clothes as I have also paid high prices to the garment suppliers,” he said.
However, Ahsanul Haque Jewel, employee of a multinational company, said sellers are taking advantage of Eid to sell at a higher price.
“Although it is difficult for me to spend a lot of money for Eid shopping I still have to buy clothes and sellers are taking advantage of this,” he said
Jahanara Parvin, a college teacher, said it is very difficult to buy toiletries as price of each item of cosmetics has increased by Tk 15 to Tk 35 from previous year.
“I bought toiletries for myself and my daughters but I had to pay Tk 10 more for each item on average, which is really difficult for someone with a low income,” she said.
Mainul Islam Sumon, a cosmetics and toiletries shop owner, said the prices have increased due to high production cost and taxes.
Sadia Islam, a receptionist, said the delight of Eid is for the rich not the poor.
-With The Daily Star input
