ISLAMABAD - Eid shopping is in full swing, while the shoppers are seriously concerned over high prices of items.
The people are finding it difficult to shop for Eid as shopkeepers and retailers have raised the prices with the start of Ramazan. In fact late night rush in markets is limited and even confined to window-shopping. The price hike is not limited to renowned brands but local items have also become expensive.
“I want to buy clothes for my kids but all price tags on kids’ clothes are ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000. I am planning to go somewhere else to shop,” said Aqsa who was present in Jinnah Super Market, Islamabad.
After Iftar the markets are full of women and kids for Eid shopping. Most shoppers visit cloth shops, shoe stores and jewellery shops.
“What can a middle-class person buy when shopkeepers have increased the prices? I came here to purchase a kurta shalwar for myself but I can’t afford,” said a boy.
Adding to agonies of the customers, there is neither any sale under way nor discount is offered on the outlets.
“No one cares about customers in our country. There should be discount on Eid shopping but the shopkeepers aren’t ready to give discounted rates on a single purchase,” said Amjad, who was present in a mall in Islamabad.
Women visiting I-10 market and Karachi Company for shopping also complained about the overpricing. “I chose a pair of shoes for myself but its price is very high; actually all shoes, whether simple sandals or high heels, are too expensive to buy,” Hina, a customer in Karachi Company said.
Women and girls are also dissatisfied with the local traders of glass bangles, bracelets and mehndi. “I have come to buy bangles for my Eid dress and the price of a set of bangles is Rs 250. I think Eid shopping is a trap of shopkeepers to earn huge profits on simple commodities,” said a mother and her daughter standing on bangles stall. Stall owners have another side to tell about the price hike. “For the last seven years I have been coming to Islamabad from interior Punjab to hold bangles stall. The profit rate is very low this year as compared to previous years,” said a bangles stall owner.
A great rush of people is seen on small shops of readymade garments, shoes and cosmetics. Prices of ladies shirts range from Rs 1500 to Rs 1700 and above at Karachi Company.
“There are different varieties of stuff in our shop and the prices haven’t been raised in Ramazan. In fact our business is very low these days,” said a shopkeeper.