Sales at the city's fashion houses have gained momentum ahead of Pahela Baishakh, the largest cultural festival in the country.
Considering shoppers' choices, outlets have already put a wide range of colourful wear and accessories on display. They have also made changes to cut, colours and design of dresses.
Sales have picked up this week, traders said, adding that they expect to get more customers during the rest of the days before Pahela Baishakh.
Aplic, embroidery and painting works have been applied to maximum women's wear and sarees.
Punjabis and kurtis also have got colourful look with different motifs including flower and shora chitro.
Customers want mainly cotton-made dresses, said Salma Begum, saleswoman of Methopath at Aziz Super Market.
"We didn't focus on any particular colour as now-a-days people like all types of colourful dresses and sarees on the occasion of Pahela Baishakh," she added.
Both women and girls are fond of long and medium cut kameez. So, they have put such wear on display, Ms Salma said.
The fashion house is selling saree at Tk 1,200-Tk 1,550, salwar kameez at Tk 1,800-Tk 2,390, kurti at Tk 700-Tk 1,290. Salwar kameez for kids (age range from 2 to 12 years) are being sold at Tk 1,000-Tk 1,100 and kurti at Tk 500-600 each.
During visit to different shops, this correspondent found that designers also have made changes to cut of salwar such as Turkish, Dhoti and Dhol.
Bisorgo, another outlet, has a collection of Dhol Salwar with a range in price from Tk 700 to 850 each. They also sell colourful scarf at Tk 400.
Deshal is selling Turkish Salwar and Dhol Salwar at up to Tk 1,200 per piece. Like previous years, the fashion house also has built up a wide range of collection. They are selling salwar kameez at Tk 2,000-Tk 2,500 while single one at Tk 850-Tk 1,800.
It also is selling gents' punjabi and kids items. Different types of ornaments are also available at the outlet.
Some traders, however, said they are waiting for a good sale, adding that till now, they are not getting customers as expected.
Salesmen at Poridhi said their sales may increase next week. To attract shoppers, they also have an extensive collection of new dresses.
Shirin Akter, a housewife who went to Bailey Road with her children, said she is searching mainly cotton-based dresses and sarees for their family members especially for kids.
"Deep colour is my first choice to celebrate New Year," she said, adding that like previous years, prices have increased to some extent.
arafat_ara@hotmail.com