Eid shopping gets momentum in twin cities
By Hina Kiyani

ISLAMABAD—The Eid shopping in twin cities of Rawalpindi and has got momentum, as Eid appoaching closer. Great rush could be seen in shops dealing with certain items like shoes, clothes, bangles, jewellery and kids garments.
With the advent of Eid, all the major markets like Super Jinnah Market, Super Market, Aabpara Market and other markets witness crowds of shoppers all the day, especially after Iftar, ladies with children thronged in bazaars, which shows festival like atmosphere in the markets.
Traders mostly dealing with ladies and children’s interest itmes have emerged as the biggest beneficiaries of the Eid shopping.
“Every year, I extend my business and set up a stall outside my shop with varieties on display, which I couldn’t sell in normal days,” said Munawar Qureshi, an owner of ladies drapery, who invested more to set up a garments stall in front of his shop in Super Market.
“With the beginning of Ramazan, we only place those things, which suit the event, but for the past one week or two the people have been back in the markets, so we have to arrange all other items related with the mega event,” he said.
He said in the Holy month of Ramazan, shopping dipped to atleast 50 as compared to last year, but he agreed that shopkeepers had been making big profits during the abrupt sale.
He referred to sales of ladies suits with Karchobi and Kasada-made. Like Anwar Khan, hundreds of traders, shopkeepers and retailers across the city are registering higher sales amid preparations for Eid days.
Nasim Waheed, who sells ladies sandals and children shoes inG-9 Markaz market, said the market catered to every segment of society and shoes here were being offered at Rs 350 to Rs 4,00. “Average prices of shoes at bigger shops are tagged at Rs 850 to Rs 1,000,” he said.
“This is the minimum range, but we are offering much low- priced varieties, we are offering children’ shoes at Rs 250 and similarly ladies’ sandals are available at Rs 350 to Rs 400.”
Shopkeepers hope that the sale would reach to its peak during the last ten days of Ramazan when shoppers usually throng to buy clothes, shoes, bangles, and other items.
Artificial jewellery is one of the several products attracting women, mainly teenage girls.
The survey suggested that these varieties have also registera rise of around 25 to 30 percent this season. “Women prefer artificial jewllery which gives an original look,” said Naheed.