Every year, as Ramadan approaches its final days, Bangladesh’s consumer market enters its most vibrant phase. In the weeks leading up to Eid-ul-Fitr, shopping streets, malls and online platforms fill with buyers preparing for the festival, turning the occasion into one of the country’s most powerful seasonal economic engines.
Spending rises across sectors ranging from fashion and footwear to groceries, cosmetics, consumer electronics and motorcycles, reflecting how deeply Eid is woven into both the country’s culture and its retail economy.
Retailers say the festival period brings one of the strongest waves of consumer activity of the year, supported by Eid bonuses for salaried employees, higher household spending and aggressive promotional campaigns by businesses competing for festive buyers.
Across industries, the Ramadan–Eid window often determines a significant portion of annual sales.
Fashion and footwear lead festive demand
Clothing remains the centrepiece of Eid shopping in Bangladesh as families traditionally buy new outfits for the celebration.
Retailers say apparel demand gradually gained momentum this year after a relatively slow start in early Ramadan. Le Reve Assistant General Manager Marketing Afrina Habib Munmun said customers initially held back before returning to stores as Eid approached.
“Shopping usually begins from the beginning of Ramadan, but this year the response was not very positive at first,” she said. “Gradually the sales increased and now the response is good.”
Footwear also sees a major seasonal surge as buyers look for shoes to match their Eid outfits. Apex Footwear Head of Marketing Md Raihan Kabir said Ramadan alone typically accounts for around 30 per cent of the company’s annual sales and it opened 32 new outlets ahead of Eid this year.
“Customers from across the country are visiting our outlets during this period,” he said. Kabir said sandals have emerged as the most popular footwear category this season because they pair easily with traditional Punjabi outfits worn during Eid celebrations.
Grocery spending rises with Ramadan demand
The festive economy is also visible in supermarkets, where food and household purchases rise significantly during Ramadan and ahead of Eid.
Shwapno Managing Director Sabbir Hasan Nasir said the supermarket chain recorded a 25 per cent sales increase during Ramadan compared with a regular month. Typically, the chain sees only about 5 per cent to 10 per cent growth during the same period.
Footfall at Shwapno outlets also rose about 14 per cent compared with normal months. Nasir said part of the demand surge may have been linked to panic buying amid global uncertainty.
“There could be some panic buying,” he said, referring to the psychological impact of the Iran war situation on consumer behaviour.
The retailer introduced rationing for certain products after noticing unusual buying patterns to ensure wider availability of essential items.
Personal care products gain festive momentum
Cosmetics and personal care products have also become an increasingly important part of Eid preparation.
Remark officials estimate that sales of beauty and personal care products increase by around 25 per cent during the Eid shopping season.
The demand reflects rising consumer awareness about skincare and grooming, particularly among younger buyers influenced by social media and digital beauty content.
Remark HB Limited, a Bangladesh-based cosmetics manufacturer affiliated with Remark LLC USA, produces a range of beauty and personal care products and has expanded its retail presence through the Herlan Store chain.
The retailer operates more than 150 outlets nationwide along with a flagship outlet and an online platform. Industry observers say the sector has expanded rapidly over the past two decades as local manufacturers invest in modern production technologies and consumers increasingly shift toward branded products.
Motorcycles and durables attract festive buyers
Eid is also a key purchasing season for consumer durables, including motorcycles.
Showroom operators say many buyers wait for festive offers or Eid bonuses before making the decision to buy a motorcycle.
ACI Motors Business Manager Hossain M Option said demand during the Ramadan–Eid period is usually higher than during regular months.
“In the regular market our new products usually see around 30 per cent growth,” he said. “For Ramadan we expected 35 to 40 per cent growth, but the actual growth this year is about 22 per cent.”
Option said uncertainty linked to the fuel situation and confusion among some expatriate workers in the Middle East who send remittances to Bangladesh may have moderated buying sentiment.
Most Yamaha buyers this season are targeting motorcycles priced between Tk2,30,000 and Tk3,50,000, which account for about 84 per cent of sales.
Bangladesh Honda Private Limited Chief Marketing Officer Shah Muhammad Ashequr Rahman said Eid consistently remains one of the strongest sales periods for motorcycles.
“Eid is always a special time when families travel and celebrate together, and motorcycles play an important role in enabling convenient mobility across Bangladesh,” he said.
Rahman said popular Honda models this season include the SP125, CB Hornet 2.0, NX200, Dream 110, Livo and XBlade. Most buyers are targeting motorcycles priced between Tk1,20,000 and Tk3,00,000, he added.
Online shopping gains momentum
E-commerce platforms are also experiencing a strong seasonal boost as more consumers choose to shop online during Ramadan and ahead of Eid.
Daraz Bangladesh Chief Corporate Affairs Officer A H M Hasinul Quddus Rusho said order volumes on the platform have increased sharply during the festive shopping period.
“This Eid we saw a strong increase in order volumes, with daily growth of around 30 to 50 per cent compared with regular days,” he said.
Rusho said Eid continues to be a key shopping season as customers increasingly turn to online platforms for convenience, trusted products and secure payments.
He added that online shopping has also provided customers with added convenience at a time when travel has become more difficult due to the fuel situation.
Digital payments gain momentum
The surge in Eid shopping is also strengthening digital payment platforms. Mobile financial services providers and banks report higher transaction volumes during Ramadan and Eid as more consumers use digital payments for purchases.
Card spending can rise by as much as 50 per cent during the festival period. Industry officials say electronic payments are helping retailers manage the large volume of festive transactions while offering cashback and discount campaigns to attract customers.
Credit cards offering interest-free instalment facilities are also encouraging purchases of consumer durables such as electronics, appliances and motorcycles.
A seasonal engine of consumption
Retailers say the Ramadan–Eid period has evolved into one of the most important commercial seasons for Bangladesh’s consumer market.
From clothing and footwear to groceries, cosmetics, electronics and motorcycles, almost every retail segment experiences a noticeable demand surge during the festival.
For businesses, the season provides an opportunity to boost revenue and expand customer reach. For consumers, Eid often becomes the moment to fulfil long-awaited purchases.
Together, these forces turn the festival into a powerful driver of Bangladesh’s retail economy.
