Feature: Dhaka markets buzzing with customers ahead of largest Muslim Eid festival

For businesses in Bangladesh, this time of year can be the most lucrative and and all sorts of food and enchanting lights adorn Dhaka's many posh markets including red Chinese lanterns which can also be seen hanging in front of the many bustling markets.

Such exquisite decorations are all aimed at attracting customers ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the biggest religious festivals celebrated after Ramadan.

It is the month when millions of Bangladeshi citizens living in the capital are rushed off their feet shopping in preparation for the lavish festival.

And this year is no exception. Shoppers are flocking to markets as storekeepers are reveling in the sudden hike to their profits and each days sees the numbers of shoppers increase and the markets packed with those stocking up on essential festival goods.

All roads leading to the big shopping malls are clogged with vehicles from first thing in the morning almost every day. City markets and shopping centers are packed with customers from morning till midnight. The readymade garment shops and shoe stores are among the ones drawing the most customers as people are busying buying new clothes in preparation for Eid.

The Muslim majority in Bangladesh will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr in the country on or around July 6 based on the sighting of the new moon.

With the largest festival drawing ever-nearer, Shoppers are combing various markets and browsing through the latest outfit designs.

In New Market, one of the busiest markets in the capital, and at the Bashundhara Market, many customers over the weekend were laying out a lot of cash on a variety of gifts either for themselves or for family members.

The owner of a children's outfit shop in Bashundhara said that more and more customers with kids are coming to his shop to buy dresses for their children as a priority.

Obaidul Anwar Khan, the manager of the Bashundhara outlet in the Infinity Mega Mall, a leading fashion brand and largest family shopping destination in Bangladesh, said they have a wide array of accessories to fit people of all ages.

"More and more customers are flocking to our store every day. With the Eid rush reaching its peak, we hope we will see further boom in sales from this weekend."

Trader Rahim Miah, in Dhaka's New Market, said they are buzzing with shoppers as many officials who have already received their Eid bonuses and salaries for this month in advance flocked to the market.

Shoppers were seen pouring over electronic items and mobile phone handsets. Outlets of leading China-made smartphone brands were a particular draw for those looking for some new high-tech gear.

Customers at this time of year do not jut spend money on themselves but also on their family members, because this is the month when rich Muslims support their poorer relatives. Makeshift stalls on street pavements are also drawing a large number of buyers.

"We're also getting tons of customers at this time of year," said Abdul Khaleq, a street vendor.

He sells his wares at a fixed price to avoid time-consuming haggling.

Usually Khaleq, like other street vendors, demand a higher price to sell something which later they will sell for far less. But these days none of the vendors have time to negotiate with penny-pinching customers.

"It's good to see that most of the street sellers are asking reasonable or fixed prices. I prefer to buy something from a fixed price shop, because I think I am getting a good deal," said Fahmida Akter, who was browsing some cosmetics and jewelry to match her Eid dresses.

As well as shopping, people are also flocking to kitchen markets. Butchers' shops, bakeries and confectioneries have also been witnessing a heavy rush of customers as Muslims started preparing for the Eid festival, which is not only a holiday for shopping, but also a holiday for family reunions and to provide support for poor relatives and neighbors.

According to estimates, around 5 million people from Dhaka will celebrate the holiday in their hometowns.

Due to the huge volume of people packing into the markets, the Bangladeshi Home Ministry has deployed additional police personnel around the markets to beef up security for the shoppers and the traders. Endit