Thai, Indian goods are of less demand

All the markers remain alive with Eid shoppers till late night.

To attract customers, most of the markets have introduced gift coupons and ruffle draw for lucrative prizes. Coupons are available even against purchase of 100 taka goods.

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The offers seem to have succeeded in luring customers of all ages.

Customers are also happy with stocks of latest and fashionable items.

Markets like Chittagong Shopping Complex, Central Plaza, Lucky Plaza and Reazuddin Bazar that offer items and garments for all types of customers, are attracting larger crowds.

Md Salauddin, president of Chittagong Shop Owners Samity Federation, told this correspondent last night that Eid shopping got a belated momentum this year.

"In fact, in the first two weeks of the Ramadan, customers move from markets to market," he said.

Sales actually pick up after 15th Ramadan, he said.

The supermarkets now remain crowded till midnight.

Md. Abul Kashem, president of Mimi Super Market Traders' Association, said sales picked up since Friday last.

Kashem, also the general secretary of Chittagong Shop Owners Samity Federation, said super markets are attracting more customers than other markets because of variety in the collections.

Abu Bakar, a shop owner at New Market, said Thai and Indian goods do not attract customers this year as before.

Some 100 markets in the city have announced prizes including private cars, motor-bikes, refrigerators, electric appliances and gold ornaments against coupons and raffle draws.

The private cars to be given as prizes have been put on display at entrances of markets to lure customers.

But many customers alleged that shopkeepers do not give the coupons properly.

Fashion and design houses seemed to lag behind in the race this year. Their festivals and display centres are less in number.

However, fashion festivals organized by Chittagong Club at its swimming pool, Charu Chattagram at Shilpakala Academy, fashion designer Ivy Hasan at Shilpakala Academy and by women entrepreneurs at Shishu Academy attracted customers in large numbers.

Besides, the Alokito-Konka Eid Fashion Competition organized by Alokito Chattagram, a regional publication of leading Bengali daily Prothom Alo, that ended on November 10 and the 3-day exhibition by Altamirah were great attractions.