Shops see higher Puja sales than last year

Customer turnout at various shopping centres, fashion houses and other retail outlets in Dhaka is gaining momentum ahead of Durga Puja, the biggest annual festival for the Hindu community, with traders saying sales will soon exceed that of the pre-pandemic era.

As is the case during most festive seasons, apparel retailers and brands have brought in new collections that are being sold with discounts and other offers on the occasion of Durga Puja, which begins from October 1.

Nitish Kumar Bhowmik, who works at a private company, said he has done shopping worth around TK 12,000 so far but a few more purchases still remain.

"Last year, we only spent just Tk 6,000 in total because of the Covid-19 crisis," he added.

Abir Basak, a businessman, said he purchased ten saris as well as pants, shirts and shoes from Calcutta.

He had plans to do the same last year but ended up not going due to the travel restrictions imposed by India amid the pandemic.

"I still have a few more purchases left and I will buy them from Bangladesh," Basak added.

Sales usually pick up seven days ahead of the five-day Durga Puja, which is the fourth largest religious festival in the country. In addition, sales continue for at least three more days after it kicks off.

Soumik Das, manager of fashion house Rang Bangladesh, said sales have not only been satisfactory, but better than last year.

"If the situation continues like this, overall sales will surpass what it was during the Durga Puja of 2019," he added.

Khalid Mahmood Khan, co-founder of Kay Kraft, which retails fashion wear, accessories, home textile, handicrafts, and handloom-made products, says the presence of shoppers is increasing day by day.

"We are overcoming the stagnation in the business that occurred as a result of Covid-19," he said.

"People are buying clothing items and other accessories, which has had a positive impact on the business," Khan added.

He went on to say that customers are making large purchases even amid the ongoing inflation.

The two Eids account for about 70 per cent of all festival sales in Bangladesh while the rest take place during Pahela Baishakh and Durga Puja, according to businesspeople.

Fashion houses in the Aziz Cooperative Super Market in the capital's Shahbagh are passing good times thanks to the presence of students, who make up a majority of its customer base.

Mohammad Solaiman, marketing manager of Target Fashion, said sales are quite good now compared to the last three years, when schools and colleges were closed amid the pandemic.

"Punjabis are selling more while t-shirts and formal shirts are also doing good," he added.

Consumer sentiment is high on the occasion of Durga Puja and that is reflected in the increased sales, said Arfanul Hoque, head of retail at Bata, a multinational footwear and fashion accessory manufacturer and retailer.

"And if we compare this year to last year, sales are a bit better," he added.

Hoque then said sales are 25-35 per cent higher on occasions like Durga Puja and Pahela Baishakh.

Retailers of smartphones and home appliances are also witnessing a higher turnout of customers.

"Sales have increased by as much as 10 per cent," said Mohammad Mesbah Uddin, chief marketing officer of Fair Group, the authorised manufacturer of Samsung devices in Bangladesh.

Till now, no impact of Durga Puja was seen in the sales of consumer electronics but it may increase during the last two days of the festival, he added.

Sales of some small cooking items usually increase during the festival and this year is no exception, said Saikat Azad, marketing manager of Transcom Electronics, one of the leading electronics retailers in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, sweets are one of the most important elements of Durga Puja.

Mahbubur Rahman Bokul, director of operations at Premium Sweets, said sales always go up by 15 to 20 per cent whenever there is any festival.

"And we have prepared accordingly for this one," Bokul added.

Syed Nurul Islam, chairman and CEO of Well Group, which runs a food chain, said sales in the last three pujas were not as good as they were before the pandemic.

This year though, sweets and bakery items are doing good business.

Islam also said the fact that people are buying products despite ongoing inflationary pressure is a good sign for businesspeople.

Well Group has been sponsoring the Banani Puja Mandap in Dhaka for the past few years. And although they did not sponsor the last three festivals amid the pandemic, they are doing it this year, according to the chairman.

Saree sellers in the Dhanmondi Hawkers Market, Chandni Chowk and Gausia Market were also busy tending to customers.

Shopkeepers said sarees and salwar-kameez are in high demand during the puja season. Buyers are more interested in katan, silk and embroidered sarees while Jamdani sarees were also in high demand.

Sales at imitation jewellery stores in New Market were also doing well as many people were seen buying various ornaments such as bangles, necklaces, and rings.