Holiday mood prevailed in the city on Monday which led to thin attendance in government and private offices than witnessed during normal days. The government announced holidays from Tuesday June 4 to Friday June 7 whereas Saturday and Sunday of June 1 and 2 as well as June 8 and 9 are weekly holidays. "Although Saturday June 8 is a working day at many places but people will prefer to take another day off. And those who would come won't be working to their fullest," they noted.
The bus terminals and city railway station are experiencing huge gatherings as people leaving the city to celebrate the Eid with their loved ones. Most of the shopping malls and markets remained opened till late at night and there was huge rush to complete Eid shopping. Monday was the last working day before Eid and only a skeleton staff turned up and stayed in their offices for some hours. Most of the staff member obtained casual leave on Monday.
It was observed that although Monday was the last working day, the government and private sector employees who were present in the offices, also in a mood of holiday, left for home earlier. It was also observed that attendance at semi-government and private sector departments also remained low as large number of the people had left the city to celebrate Eid with their loved ones in their native towns.
However, a holiday rush was seen in the garments shops and jewellers shops in the city. With more holidays ahead, this rush is likely to increase. With Eid approaching, some families had decided to make a brisk shopping ahead of the festival. Shopkeepers said buyers are very conscious about the quality of cloth and prices. Shopping malls in the provincial capital witnessed increased sales of garments ahead of Eid, which is only one to two days away. Shopkeepers have started offering 10 to 70 percent Eid discount on garments and other items to attract buyers.
A visit of various markets indicates that the shopkeepers are expecting huge turnover of customers. Businessmen said there is no estimate how much business has been generated during Ramazan and Eid. A rough estimate indicates as much as Rs 90 billion or above. Discount banner has hit the city markets as colourful banners advertise 10 to 70 percent off on all readymade garment including recently arrived collections.
Leading brands are offering a range of discounts at their outlets and independent retailers are also off-loading Eid stocks. Sellers have complained about persisting hot weather which they claim has a major impact on the buying habits of shoppers. Other major factor attributed by them for low sale in first two weeks of Ramazan is the depressed buying capacity of the general public due to high inflation.
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