Despite discounts of 20% to 70% on summer clothing and the arrival of new winter collections, clothing retailers in several Dhaka markets say sales have fallen short of expectations during Durga Puja and the seasonal changeover.
During visits to New Market, Bashundhara City, Elephant Road, Dhanmondi Hawkers Market, Noorjahan Market, and Globe Shopping Centre yesterday, TBS spoke to traders and shoppers, with one retailer reporting sales at just one-third of normal levels.
Mens World is offering a flat 20% discount on summer clothing, while fashion houses Anjan's and Live Shopping are offering discounts of up to 70%. However, employees at Mens World and Anjan's say the offers have not brought the expected increase in sales.
Maruf Hasan, a sales employee at Mens World, said customer response remained poor despite the discounts.
"Even with the discount, sales are below expectations. People have been shopping over the past few days for Puja, but the response has been much lower than expected. We are now selling only one-third of what we normally do," he said.
Imran Hossain, a sales employee at Anjan's, reported a similar situation.
"We are offering discounts of up to 70% – the rate varies by product. However, I cannot say the discounts have significantly increased sales. Business was disappointing during Puja this year," he said.
Meanwhile, private-sector employee Neyamat Ullah, who was shopping at Bashundhara City, said the advertised discounts were not as attractive as he had expected.
"I came after hearing about the big sales and discounts of up to 70%. But the clothes I like, especially those in current fashion, have discounts of only 10%-15%. Many heavily discounted items are not available in my size, while others are older designs. So, there is little benefit in shopping just for the discounts," he said.
Puja sales fall short of expectations
Traders at Dhanmondi Hawkers Market also reported disappointing sales during Durga Puja, traditionally one of their busiest shopping periods.
Tuhin, a saree and three-piece seller at Dhanmondi Hawkers Market, said sales during this year's Puja were nearly half of last year's level.
"Puja is one of our busiest business periods. In previous years, we barely had time to breathe. There were days when I sold clothes worth Tk4-5 lakh. But this year, sales have fallen to almost half that level. Customers are coming, but many leave after looking around without buying anything," he said.
Winter clothes arrive, but buyers remain few
Meanwhile, winter clothing has begun appearing in shops and footpath stalls around New Market, but traders say demand remains limited.
Sweaters, jackets, hoodies, cardigans, long-sleeved T-shirts and shawls are being displayed outside shops and along footpaths. Customers are stopping to browse, check prices and bargain, but traders say purchases remain limited.
Sajib Mir, a footpath vendor at New Market, said he had started stocking winter clothing several days ago.
"There were days when I sold clothes worth Tk4-5 lakh. But this year, sales have fallen to almost half that level. Customers are coming, but many leave after looking around without buying anything."
– Tuhin, saree and three-piece seller, Dhanmondi Hawkers Market
"But sales are still low because the weather has not turned cold yet. People are looking at clothes and asking about prices. Many say they will buy when it gets colder," he said.
Zahid, owner of Aranya Fashion at Noorjahan Market, said demand for lighter winter clothing generally picks up first, followed by jackets, sweaters and hoodies as temperatures fall.
"Young people usually prefer hoodies and jackets, while families buy sweaters and other warm clothes for children and older people. But although we have started displaying winter clothes, sales have yet to pick up," he said.
Russell Rahman, a clothing seller at New Market, said he was hoping colder weather would bring more customers.
"Our last hope is winter. If the weather gets colder, business might improve. Even large discounts have not helped us clear summer stock. Now we are struggling to raise the money needed to bring in new winter clothes," he said.