As the holy month of Ramadan approaches its end and Eidul Fitr is just around the corner, Eid shopping in the city is in full swing, with girls, women and children busy preparing to celebrate the Muslim holiday with fervour, Pakistan Today has learnt.
Eid shopping has gained momentum in all city markets, which have started putting up decorations and displays to lure customers in the busiest and most profitable shopping time of the year. Colourful stalls set up at various points in the city are offering several kinds of embroidered clothes, henna, jewellery, handbags and shoes. Ready-made suits are gaining popularity among girls and children, with embroidered kurtas more popular among boys.
Eid shopping usually begins in the last 10 days of Ramadan and continues until Chaand Raat, the eve of Eid. Street stalls have started to present a cheerful look with Eid-related accessories like earrings, cosmetics, bangles and many other things. Young girls, women and teenagers are seen thronging different Eid shopping points such as Main Market, Liberty Market, Anarkali, Pace, Orega Shopping Mall, The Mall of Lahore, Ichchra Market, Link Road and others.
They are shopping with full joy and enthusiasm despite the unprecedented price hike. Rates are very high in posh markets including Cavalry Grounds, Defence and Liberty but comparatively lower in Ichchra, Anarkali and the Mall. The cheapest dresses and shoes are available in smaller markets including Dharampura, Garhi Shahu and Sandha. More than half of the visitors in posh markets go for window-shopping only while those visiting cheaper markets mostly go with intent to buy something.
Citizen Sheroz Akbar who was doing shopping for his family said, “Eid is a gala day for all Muslims. That’s why we celebrate enthusiastically. At this occasion especially, we purchased new dresses, shoes and other household commodities for making the day special.” He said that due to inflation, he could not afford to purchase new things for his family due to which he decided to purchase new cloths and shoes for children.
Mehreen, 12, in a very happy mood said, “I look forward anxiously for Eid because on this occasion, we purchase new cloths, shoes and jewellery.” She said that people should also think about the poor on this occasion. On the other hand, several shoppers said that due to high prices, many things were beyond their purchasing power and they were compelled to window shopping.
“Shoes that were once sold at Rs 400 to 600 have now reached more than Rs 1,000 to 1,200. Sometimes, a decent pair costs more than Rs 1,500, which is too much,” Samina a housewife. Rates of children’s clothes have also increased from Rs 2,000 to 5,000. “No tailor is ready to take fresh stitching orders. People are buying readymade clothes for Eid as well as for the subsequent wedding season. The highest number of weddings in the city take place after Eidul Fitr,” said Rizwan, who deals in readymade garments at Liberty Market.
Tailors are an indispensable part of Eid celebrations, as their demand grows especially around Eid. But now when Eidul Fitr is about a few days away, they have stopped taking fresh orders. Arshad, a tailor at Faisal Town, said that he has committed not to take extra work during Eid season, as he believes in having ‘satisfied customers’ rather than ‘disgruntled ones.’ “We are not machines, but we work like machine to meet our deadlines,” he lamented.
