As the Eidul Fitr is just around the corner, the shopping spree in the city has geared up and bazaars and shopping centres are becoming crowded and jam-packed, but the spiralling and unabated price hike has shrunk and crippled down the purchasing power of the customers, and Eid shoppers find it difficult to adjust expenses of Eid shopping with their limited budget
It is revealed that the unprecedented price hike in recent years has forced the middle class as well as low income people to search for some other ways to purchase articles for Eids and they are opting to buy cheap but inferior Chinese articles. Discounts are being offered by various stores on summer collection as they are finding it a great chance to clear off their summer stuff by selling it to the buyers in the name of clearance sale.
Large crowds of customers are being seen in Liberty Market, Auriga Centre, Icchra market, Model Link Road Market, Panorama Center, Moon Market in Iqbal Town, Anarkali and Nakki Market on The Mall. Shops and shopping malls have tastefully been decorated to attract the customers.
During a survey conducted by Business Recorder on Saturday, it was observed that Anarkali was still attracting a huge crowd from all the corners of the city, since this market is seen as a traditional place to shop for Eid.
However, the Eid shoppers were finding hard to digest the increase in the prices of various products. It was observed that the people were fighting over even 10 to 50 rupees with the shopkeepers and many had to decide against buying a item that they liked. Disappointment and contempt become clearly evident on their faces as they walked out of the shops after failure to buy some articles owing to high prices.
The price hike has forced many buyers to opt for Chinese goods against locals, since they are cheaper although inferior. Saleem Bhatti, a private sector employee said that as the prices of locally produced products were relatively high due to the cost of input, the people who were already badly affected by the inflated prices of food items, preferred to buy Chinese products to fulfil needs of their children. The shoppers and buyers without any hesitation burst out at government and hold it responsible for the hike.
The shopkeepers were also blaming the government for decease in business, as they held it responsible for increase in the prices of input costs that has made the local products out of reach of people.
Keeping in view of the buyers' purchasing power, the retailers were compelled to reduce their profit margins and hoping to earn reasonable amount on high volume sale. The prices of almost all commodities, including shoes, clothes, bangles, jewellery and knitwear has increased this year as compared to last year. The Chinese factor is badly hitting the local readymade garments, knitwear and shoe industry.