Valentine's season turns sour for traders

Even on the eve of this year's Valentine's day and Pehela Falgun (first day of spring), gift item and flower traders have been dealt with a blow, thanks to the ongoing political unrest.

As recent years' experiences show, business of gift items and flowers boom on the first day of spring and Valentine's day. Pahela Falgun is followed by the Valentine's day in Bangladesh.

Traders say although their stores were full of new gift items targeting this season, customers are rare this year. Hardly any customers were seen during a visit to such shops in Shahbag, Hatirpul, Paltan, Baily Road and Dhanmondi areas of Dhaka city.

Flower scene

According to Dhaka Ful Baboshayee Kalyan Samity, an association of the flower traders, there are over 50 retail flower shops at Shahbag. Some of them used to sell flowers worth Tk 8000 to 10,000 a day.

Since the blockade began at the beginning of this year, their sales came down to Tk 3000 to 4000 a day.

Babul Prasad, president of the Samity, said flower traders had a trade turnover of almost Tk 80-90 million on the occasion of Valentine's day and Pahela falgun last year. This year, he fears, the turnover may decline to Tk 30-40 million.

Flower trader Babul Miah said they are selling flowers at a much cheaper rate than before. "We are just trying to make money just to survive," he said.

Flower traders said even though they are collecting lesser volume of flower for their shops, flowers remained unsold in most cases. If business does not pick up during Pahela falgun and Valentine's day, many traders will lose their capital, they said.

Babul Prasad said output of flower was ample this year, but most of the flowers are dying on the field for not being transported due to unrest. Almost 60 percent of the produced flower might remain unsold this year, he said.

Card and gift shops

"In my 18 years in this business, I've never faced such a tough time." Zakir Hossain, proprietor of Hallmark show room in Hatirpul said to Prothom Alo. He said they have stockpiled products worth Tk 600,000, but not expecting sales of more than Tk 100,000.

Last year, they sold products worth Tk 200,000 everyday during this season, he added.

A large collection of cards, gift bags, gift boxes, dolls, red hearts, perfumes and show pieces were seen in this show room.

Sharifuddin Iqbal, proprietor of the Hatirpul branch of Archie's Gallery, had a different point of view. "The unrest can not stop the expression of love," he said.

Although business is not particularly bad, it could have been a lot better if the situation was stable, he added.

Over 50 gift items are being sold at this show room on occasion of Valentine's day. The items include cards, wristwatch, ornaments, scented candles, wallet, tie, mug, love chocolate and gift box. The price range of cards is Tk 100 -1200. Scented candles, another valentines gift can be found at price between Tk 100-600.