Sales of panjabi, a traditional men's attire for Eid-ul Fitr, have marked a significant rise in the city, with only a few days remaining before the biggest religious festival.
This year, shoppers are looking for long and semi-long panjabis made of cotton and other comfortable fabrics considering the present hot and humid weather, traders said.
During visits to the city shopping malls, the FE correspondent found fashion outlets, boutiques, brand and non-brand shops busy selling a wide varieties of panjabis in various designs and colours.
Most of the traders have also expressed satisfaction over the sales volume.
"We are getting better response from Eid shoppers this time than in the last year," said Ikbal Hossain Iku, in-charge of an outlet of Lubnan, a renowned panjabi brand, at Bashundhara City shopping mall.
The brand sells long and semi-long panjabis and the prices range between Tk 1,580 and Tk 3,200, he said.
Colourful printed cotton panjabis are now in high demand, he said, adding that many young people also prefer gorgeous party panjabis whose prices are as high as Tk 6,500.
Various types of fabrics, including cotton, blend cotton, Mysore cotton, silk and katan are used in making panjabis, said Mr Iku.
Shoppers buying panjabis are also purchasing pajamas, an essential attire worn with panjabis.
Sources said churidar pajamas, a type of tightly fitting trousers, are selling at Tk 750 and the pant-style pajama at Tk 950 to Tk 990 in the brand shops.
Koti, another type of attire worn with panjabi, are selling for Tk 2,500 to Tk 3,000 at different brand shops.
Mehedi Hasain, manager of Lavender's outlet at Bashundhara City, said they sell mostly party panjabi, whose prices vary between Tk 5,000 and Tk 13,000.
Panjabis for kids costs Tk 1,500 to Tk 5,500 and dopatta (scarf) sells for Tk 1,000 to Tk 1,200, he said.
Abdullah Al Mahdi, who came to Aziz Super market to buy panjabis for him and his father, said, "I can't think of celebrating Eid without wearing a new panjabi for my Eid prayer in the morning."
As the weather is hot, Mahdi said, he would prefer to buy colourful cotton panjabi.
Bulbul Hossain, a salesperson in the city's Pir Yemeni Market, said the shopping mall is known for selling panjabis at the wholesale rate.
"We sell several types of imported Indian panjabis at Tk 1,500 each while some upscale markets usually sell the same for at least Tk 3,000," he said.
To boost their sales, many traders have also resorted to online platforms, sources said.
Some brands have opened e-commerce sites to sell various outfits, including panjabis, along with other dress, while some showcasing their items online.
In contrast, people with limited income are thronging makeshift shops on the pavements to buy their panjabis at a low price.
Abdul Mazed, a vendor in the city's Gulistan area, said he was selling two types of panjabis for Tk 300 and Tk 500 respectively.
"The sales this year is somewhat better than in the last year," he said, adding that customers have been coming to his makeshift shop since the first week of Ramadan.
Some hawkers were also seen selling panjabi and pajamas for as low as Tk 150.
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