The sale of warm clothes in the city has increased manifold shortly after the mercury drops drastically across the country including Dhaka as an impact of the latest cyclone 'Phethai'.
Sellers of warm clothes have witnessed an increase in their sale for the last three days, which was not much satisfactory even in last week, said traders.
People were seen gathering at different makeshift shops and footpaths across the city to buy various warm clothes, including blanket, sweater, blazer, shawl, caps and socks etc.
Sellers of these shops were seen busy in various areas including Baitul Mukarram, Dainik Bangla, Mirpur-10, and Elephant Road etc.
Besides, sale at showrooms of different brands in city shopping malls also marked a sharp rise following special discount on last year's products.
Mahtab Bin Hossain, a private sector service-holder, told the FE on Thursday that he came to buy a blazer after the sudden temperature fall. He was also looking for discount offers at shops in Elephant Road shopping area.
Rofiqul Islam, seller at a showroom, told the FE that apart from new collection they are selling last year's products with up to 60 per cent discount.
He too echoed rise in sale for the last few days.
"We hardly sold five to seven blankets a day before this week. Now, our sale has more than doubled after the latest spell of drizzling," said Burhanul Amir, 25, who have been continuing the business in front of Baitul Mukarram for the last three years.
"Even days before we could hardly sell products worth Tk 4,000-5,000 a day, and make little profit to maintain our family. But the sudden temperature drop has improved the situation for us."
Coldwave and temperature fall can further increase their sale, he observed.
People of lower- and middle-income groups usually buy winter clothes from makeshift shops on footpaths.
But some sellers of such makeshift shops in the city express fear of interruption in sale, which may occur due to possible unrest marking the general election on December 30.
Rahamat Ullah, 45, another seller of winter clothes near Dainik Bangla Mor, said their sale has significantly increased.
"But fearing political turmoil people are now somewhat avoiding these areas, as we used to get more response in last winter," he added.
Average locally-made blankets are being sold at Tk 200 to Tk 500 per piece in the city, and imported blankets are being sold at Tk 500 to Tk 1,200.
Besides, the imported family-size blankets of good quality are being sold at Tk 2,000 to Tk 5,000 each, said sellers.
Prices vary for a sweater from Tk 400 to Tk 1,000, and for a blazer from Tk 2,000 to Tk 3,500 at different shopping centres.
Sale of warm clothes in Dhaka starts rather late in compare to other parts of the country, as the capital usually sees short duration of winter, said traders.
