As just few days left in Eid-ul-Fitr, shoppers thronged into markets and bazaars of the provincial metropolis Peshawar, while the prices of clothes, readymade garments, footwear, and other items registered a substantial increase on this religious festivity.
A huge rush of buyers, especially women being seen at shops of cosmetic, jewellery, embroidery clothes, garments and footwear outlets in all main shopping markets and business hubs. Security has also upgraded in all busy shopping centres and malls, by erecting concrete block on main routes heading towards markets.
During a visit to various bazaars by this scribe, particularly University Road, Cantonment and Meena Bazaar, Karimpura, Shaheen Bazaar, Jehangirpura, in the downtown city, it was noted that shopping gained momentum despite the high prices of garments, shoes, bangles and other items. Mohammad Sami, a salesman at a garments shop in Kochi Bazaar Peshawar, said that shopping spree was still low due to high prices and low purchasing power.
It was observed that those offering discounts at the advent of Ramazan have also withdrawn it ahead of Eid. The shopkeepers are selling readymade Shalwar Kameez suit for men at Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 of average quality, while local Charsadda Chappal, which was last year priced at Rs 1,000, now being sold at Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 at the cantonment and University Road shops. Similarly, the prices of items including bangles, cosmetics have also increased by 30 to 40 percent in the last days of Ramazan.