RAWALPINDI:
With the payment of salaries of employees of government and private institutions from Monday, March 16, Eidul Fitr shopping has gained momentum in Rawalpindi.
Markets, malls and shopping centers became bustling, and traders also expressed satisfaction with the start of business activities.
Families began visiting markets in large numbers. After receiving their salaries on Monday, many families – including women and children – visited markets to buy Eid clothes for their children.
Over the past ten days, markets have remained open late into the night but customers have been relatively few in number. However, once wages were paid, business activity increased.
With Eidul Fitr just four days away, crowds at markets are expected to increase steadily each day. Peak shopping is expected in Chand Raat.
This year, Chand Raat is expected to fall on two nights: Thursday (29 Ramadan) and Friday (30 Ramadan). Retailers plan to keep their stores open continuously for 33 hours, from 10 a.m. until 7 a.m. the next morning.
Due to rising oil prices, prices of clothing and shoes have increased more than usual this year. Major clothing and shoe chains have seen a decline in sales compared to last year due to inflation.
Many retailers have launched “bundle sales,” offering unsold clothing and shoes from previous seasons at discounts of 25 to 30 percent. As a result, these sales sections attracted larger crowds.
Instead of big shoe stores, many citizens preferred to buy from stalls manned by Pathan sellers in markets.
At these stalls, children’s and women’s shoes are sold for Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000, while men’s shoes are available for Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500.
Government employees said that at the start of Ramadan, most spending was focused on daily iftar expenses, but after receiving their salaries, they started shopping for Eid.
Muhammad Ali and Feroz Hassan said they are not compromising on children’s Eid shopping. “Children insist on buying two or three suits each, while we adults settle for just one suit and opt for cheaper slippers instead of expensive shoes,” they said.
They added that monthly expenses still need to be managed after Eid as the next salary will be received after 44 days on April 30.
