Eid shopping in the city is yet to gain momentum for lack of buyers although the shopping malls are ready with the diverse arrays of products.
City dwellers said they were skipping the shopping malls for the higher prices of Eid products as the prices of various products have gone up this year compared to last year.
Besides, they are facing a budget deficit for the Eid shopping after meeting the living costs and educational expenses of their children.
However, traders claimed that the prices of the items have not increased much against the production costs.
Visiting different markets, this correspondent found that the prices of women and children products, including clothes and handbags, have witnessed a hike while that of men remained the same.
Thin crowds of buyers were seen at Bashundhara City Shopping Complex,Elephant Road,Bailey Road, Polwel Supermarket, Twin Tower Concord, Hosaf Tower Shopping Complex, Mouchak Market and Fortune Shopping Complex on Friday, a weekly holiday when generally markets see huge crowds.
Shopkeepers at Bashundhara City Shopping Complex said although visitors throng the market, few purchase products.
Salespersons at Polwel Supermarket said they sold products to wholesalers from Shab-e-Barat till the beginning of Ramadan. However, they were hardly finding any retail buyer now.
Mohiuddin Ahmed, owner of Color & Pattern at Bailey Firesta at Bailey Road, said every shop has a collection of best design and quality products. "However, buyers are only roaming the markets. We hope the sales will see a boost from this week," he said.
Meanwhile, the shop owners of Malibagh and Mouchak areas alleged that customers are not visiting their markets due to the dilapidated condition of the roads around the markets caused by the construction of Mouchak-Moghbazar flyover.
As a result, they can hardly sell any product, said M Shamsul Hoque, owner of Sagorika Enterprise at Fortune Shopping Complex.